Alberta No Duty of Care “regulator” says Nexen can reopen utility pipelines at Long Lake

Alberta regulator says Nexen can reopen utility pipelines at Long Lake by The Canadian Press, September 7, 2015, Calgary Herald
Nexen Energy is being allowed to reopen some pipelines at an Alberta oilsands operation after provincial regulators suspended the licences for them last month.

The Alberta Energy Regulator says that after inspecting Nexen’s Long Lake facility and reviewing documents, it has determined about 40 utility pipelines that carry fuel gas, natural gas and water pose a low risk to public safety and the environment.

It said Nexen has demonstrated the utility lines can be operated safely and within all regulatory requirements. [Aren’t companies supposed to do that BEFORE they get approvals and what a real regulator would ensure?]

But the regulator said the remaining 55 pipelines affected by the order, which contain products including crude oil, natural gas, salt water, fresh water and emulsion, must stay closed until the company can demonstrate they’re safe. [Repeat of questions above. Nexen’s mess is the AER’s and proves there is little but “No Duty of Care” rubber stamping in Alberta. Is that why so many Canadian “experts” recommend the “Alberta-Aquifer-Fracking-&-2-Spill-a-Day Model” and corrupt governments and regulators around the world copy its deregulation, cover-up and abuse enabling techniques?]

The regulator revoked the operating licences for the lines at Long Lake on August 28 due to what it called non-compliance surrounding pipeline maintenance and monitoring.

Nexen said in a news release the reopening of the utility pipelines means it will be able to maintain approximately 75 per cent of its Long Lake oil sands production and upgrader operations. [Emphasis added]

[Refer also to:

September 6, 2015: Canada’s energy regulators put on a stage play: Pretend to get tougher? Is it because, for the first time, the “No Duty of Care” AER is before the Supreme Court of Canada?

All the better to frac Canada with: “Enforcement fell off a cliff.” Attempts to protect Canada’s lakes, rivers ‘all but abandoned’ says U of Calgary law professor Martin Olszynski: “It was never really about reducing red tape.”

2015 08 30: What’s the AER really up to shutting down Nexen’s 95 pipeline licenses? Protti trying to save his job? Make Albertans forget the courts ruled that the regulator owes no duty of care to anyone no matter how badly harmed, and can violate our constitutional rights with complete legal immunity? ]

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