More than 20 environmental groups are calling for a public inquiry into the safety of steam extraction techniques in the oil sands.
The organizations made their demands to the Alberta Energy Regulator as bitumen continues to leak from the ground at Canadian Natural Resources Limited Primrose SAGD site close to the Saskatchewan border.
An Alberta Wildnerness Association spokesperson says 80% of the oil sands could one day be gathered by pumping steam into the ground, so it’s important to get the technique right.
CNRL is blaming mechanical failures on old exploration wells for the leak, but AER says it still doesn’t know the cause.
The oil sands company says it’s affected 13.5 hectares and less than 20 barrels, or 3,200 litres leaked from four locations per day.
The spill began in May.
August 14th, 2013
