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Cenovus crews carry out spill training drills on Beaver River

Cenovus Energy employees took part in aN oil spill training exercise on Beaver River just north of Ardmore on June 28.

BONNYVILLE - A dozen Cenovus Energy employees took part in an oil spill training exercise on Beaver River at the bridge crossing north of Ardmore on June 28. 

The group of workers are part of a Spill Team that is being trained to respond to an emergency situation in case an oil spill happens on water. 

“Our overarching commitment is to safe and reliable operations,” said Kim Guttormson, the communications manager with Cenovus Energy, in a statement to Lakeland This Week

“In the unlikely event of an incident, there is equipment available to manage the initial response activation.” 

Cenovus staff regularly conduct training exercises, like the one held on June 28, to test and improve emergency responses to enhance the safety of the public and its workers. 

Throughout the province, several other Cenovus employees were also practicing what their own responses to an oil spill would be on land or on water.  

This exercise included staff at different levels and positions within the company. 

“When we conduct a training exercise, the main ‘response' takes place at the field level. Other teams may support those actions, for example our Incident Support Team in Calgary,” she explained.

"In an actual event that group would provide the field team with any support it may require, and during an exercise will sometimes ‘activate’ alongside the field team to practice how we would communicate and work together.” 

While every incident is different, how notifications are rolled out is adjusted to individual situations with emergency response plans for each site already prepared, including notification protocols, continues Guttormson.  

“The protection of the community, our people and the environment is the priority in any incident – and every day.”

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