About 2,500 barrels of crude bitumen emulsion spilled out of an Imperial Oil wellsite due to a leak that began the evening of April 26.
The leak was stopped the following morning by shutting in the leaking flow line, explained Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) spokesperson Bob Curran.
He said “a fairly substantial amount” leaked out, but most remained on the lease site. A small amount of the emulsion, (water mixed with bitumen), sprayed off the lease site in a fine mist, he explained.
“Now there is a light sheen covering some vegetation off site, as well as a light sheen on the ice on (Bourque) lake,” said Alberta Environment spokesperson Cara Tobin.
Tobin said Alberta Environment has been working with Imperial Oil to map out the extent of the spray and to develop a clean-up plan.
She said absorbent pads have been placed along the shoreline of Bourque Lake to absorb the oil where the ice has melted.
“It's interesting right now because the ice is actually quite dangerous,” said Tobin, explaining how workers can't walk out on the ice.
She said they are looking to source airboats and determine if they would be safe to use.
“We want to make sure that the workers are safe doing this work, but we also want to make sure that whatever sheen is out there is either not going to be harmful to the environment, as in it will breakdown, or that it's cleaned up.”
Tobin explained how unrefined crude can break down naturally and how the light sheen casts a slight rainbow colour on the ice.
“Because it's such a thin amount, that it's possible in higher quantities, maybe it would have more of a harmful effect.”
Although there was no sheen seen in the creek that feeds into the lake, a boom was placed where the creek enters the lake to prevent any potential missed emulsion from going in. Four scare cannons were also set up to prevent animals from entering the area and they are looking to source more.
She said she did not know how long the clean-up would take, as it depends on the volume spilled, the area covered, and available resources.
“All the necessary resources were on site fairly immediately, and we were working with the company to come up with a clean-up plan right away, so it's just a matter of getting it done,” said Tobin.
Imperial Oil workers discovered the leak around 7 a.m. on April 27, although the exact time it began or the cause have not been determined, said Paula McMillan, public affairs spokesperson from Imperial Oil's Cold Lake operations.
She said after it was discovered, the emergency response team mobilized immediately and isolated the leak very quickly.
“We have no reason to believe that there was any human error, but that is the important critical part of the investigation – to look at all of the details relating to the incident to confirm that.”
No one was injured and there are no residents in the area.
“From all appearances, there has been no effect on wildlife that we can see at this point, so those are very positive things, no injuries related to the incident,” said McMillan.
Curran said the ERCB is satisfied Imperial Oil is doing all it can to clean up the spill.
A joint investigation between Imperial Oil, the ERCB and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development is underway. Alberta Environment also conducts an inspection.
