Category Archives: Case Related

Analysis Confirms That Hydraulic Fracturing Caused Drinking Water Contamination In Wyoming by Jessica Goad, Public Lands Team, May 1, 2012 A recent study from the Environmental Protection Agency showing that chemicals from hydraulic fracturing had contaminated groundwater has just been … Continue reading →

Designed to Fail: Why Regulatory Agencies Don’t Work by William Sanjour, May 1, 2012, Independent Science News But my experience has shown that by concentrating all legislative, executive and judiciary authority in one regulatory agency just makes it easier for it to … Continue reading →

Review blames fracking for water contamination in Pavillion by Irina Zhorov, May 1, 2012, Wyoming Public Media One of the criticisms of the E-P-A study was that it was poorly conducted science, and therefore, put forth unreliable conclusions. But the … Continue reading →

TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM Review of DRAFT: Investigation of Ground Water Contamination near Pavillion Wyoming Prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency by Tom Myers, April 30, 2012 The EPA found in the monitoring wells significant concentrations of isopropanol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, … Continue reading →

In conversation: Paul Joosse, Life on Wiebo Ludwig’s farm: head shaving, dandelion wine, and surprising humour by Nicholas Köhler, April 26, 2012, MacLeans While writing his dissertation on radical environmentalism, Paul Joosse, a doctoral candidate in sociology at the University … Continue reading →

Hydraulic fractures: How far can they go? by Davies, R. J., et al, April 21, 2012, Marine and Petroleum Geology (2012), doi:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2012.04.001 The maximum reported height of an upward propagating hydraulic fracture from several thousand fracturing operations in the Marcellus, Barnett, Woodford, Eagleford and … Continue reading →

The fight against shale gas Internet translation of article by André Picot, Toxicochimiste, president of ATC Toxicology, April 21, 2012, Huffingtonpost.fr Hence our assumption that these new products could only come from chemical interactions, favored by temperature and pressure very … Continue reading →

Oil industry workers oppose drilling and fracking near their Calgary suburb by Geoff Dembicki, April 19, 2012, The Tyee.ca Local residents base their opposition on oil leak potential, lack of evacuation routes, improper consultation and lowered property values — concerns … Continue reading →

Potential Contaminant Pathways from Hydraulically Fractured Shale to Aquifers by Tom Myers Article first published online April 17, 2012 by National Ground Water Association DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2012.00933.x

A proposed oil well to be fracked inside the City of Calgary puts residents and the industry on a collision course by Gustavo Vieira, April 17, 2012, Macleans The company drilling in Royal Oak, Kaiser Exploration, estimates there could be … Continue reading →

The Death of the Reverend, Andrew Nikiforuk wrote the book on Wiebo Ludwig. Now he writes his obituary by Andrew Nikiforuk, April 11, 2012, TheTyee.ca Contrary to expectations Ludwig did not pick this particular battle. For years he civilly tried … Continue reading →

Could fracking produce another Wiebo Ludwig? by Darren Campbell, April 10, 2012, Alberta Oil Magazine Whatever view you have of Ludwig, in some ways he wasn’t very different from a lot of other Albertans. He was big on being self sufficient, he … Continue reading →

Progressive Conservative (PC) candidate Sandra Jensen calls for a stop to the Kaiser Exploration Ltd. Oil Well in the City of Calgary Press Release April 9, 2012 City of Calgary was denied as a stakeholder in this application. “The City … Continue reading →

Alberta group investigates five firms over fracking by Jerold LeBlanc, April 2012, Wetaskiwin Times, Article ID# 3524771 A provincial expert says his organization – the Energy Resources Conservation Board – is investigating five incidences in Alberta where fracking has caused … Continue reading →

Kaiser Oil Well to be frac’d in Calgary near sour gas, letter to Premier Alison Redford by Rocky Ridge Royal Oak Community Association, March 31, 2012 During the ERCB meeting on February 06, 2012 Julie Fulford-ADR Specialist confirmed they do … Continue reading →

Frac threat charges laid by Lea Smaldon and John Gleeson, March 27, 2012, Mountain View Gazette Last Thursday, Sundre RCMP charged Kim Mildenstein, 39, with two counts of uttering threats after investigating an Energy and Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) complaint about a … Continue reading →

NAL resumes operations Lea Smaldon, March 27, 2012, Mountain View Gazette A company spokesperson wouldn’t comment on the evacuation. Clayton Paradis, NAL director of investor relations, did confirm though that work at the site didn’t permanently cease. “We did continue operations,” said Paradis. … Continue reading →

Woman charged with making threats against oilfield operator near Sundre by Calgary Herald, March 23, 2012 SUNDRE . RCMP have laid charges against a Sundre woman after threats were made against oilfield operator NAL resources. Police say the threats were … Continue reading →

Two arrested after threats made against fracking site by Lea Smaldon, March 20, 2012, Mountain View Gazette The Energy Resources Conservation Board contacted Sundre RCMP after receiving a faxed correspondence Thursday morning that staff “perceived to be threatening,” said ERCB spokesperson Bob … Continue reading →

Paddy sounds fracking alarm by John Gleeson, March 20, 2012, Mountain View Gazette The past reeve of Mountain View County launched a fracking awareness campaign last week, calling on his council and other municipalities to press the Alberta government to get serious … Continue reading →

Council of Canadians meets with Irish Minister of Energy to talk fracking by Emma Lui, March 8, 2012, rabble.ca It is also interesting to note that the Irish government arranged a meeting with the Council of Canadians while the Canadian government … Continue reading →

Potential for environmental impact due to acid gas leakage from wellbores at EOR injection sites near Zama Lake, Alberta by D.M. LeNeveu, LeNeveu Simulations Inc., Manitoba, Canada in Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology Volume 2, Issue 2, Article first published … Continue reading →

Fracking regulations stringent, misconceptions abound by Barbara Duckworth, The Western Producer, February 23, 2012 Bob Curran of the ERCB said ground water protection, drilling and hydraulic fracturing are highly regulated. “Some of the complaints are based on what is happening in other jurisdictions. … Continue reading →

Group calls for moratorium on fracking by Victoria Paterson, January 31, 2012, Mountainview Gazette is calling for a moratorium on hydraulic fracking after an incident that took place near Innisfail in mid-January. “Let’s put a stop to it and do the research,” … Continue reading →

ERCB Appendix A: Interwellbore Communication During Fracturing Operation Events January 23, 2012 Surface distance between wells: 1.2 kilometres Subsurface distance between wells: Under investigation… Surface distance between wells: Approximately 1,500 metres Subsurface distance between wells: 110 metres… Surface distance between wells: … Continue reading →

ERCB (now AER) Bulletin 2012 02 Hydraulic Fracturing: Interwellbore Communication between Energy Wells no longer available at the regulator’s website (for obvious reasons). Uploaded here: https://ernstversusencana.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012-01-23-ERCB-Bulletin-2012-02-Hydraulic-Fracturing-Inerwellbore-Communication-ERCB-warning-but-8-yrs-earlier-did-not-warn-about-Encana-fracing-drinking-water-aquifers.pdf ERCB Bulletin 2012-02: Hydraulic Fracturing: Interwellbore Communication between Energy Wells by Robin King, Executive Manager, … Continue reading →

Call For A Moratorium on Hydro Fracking by Don Bester, Alberta Surface Rights Group, January 20, 2012 The potential to cause cross communication from the fracking zone to zones that contain active fresh water aquifers is one of the many concerns, … Continue reading →

Regulators say hydraulic fracturing may have caused oil spill on farm near Innisfail by Dina O’Meara, January 17, 2012, Calgary Herald CALGARY – Hydraulic fracturing of an oil well in southern Alberta could have caused an oil well blowout a … Continue reading →

Couple claims energy exploration contaminates their water by Lana Michelin, December 26, 2011, Red Deer Advocate If methane gases from different depth levels mixed together in the water, then the combination might not be traceable to a particular source, Ronalie suggested. “I … Continue reading →

ERCB Bulletin 2011-35: Surface Casing Vent Requirements for Wells December 20, 2011. ERCB The new testing requirements will further reduce the risk to public safety and the environment by ensuring that companies and the ERCB can take appropriate action as required … Continue reading →

Trican Donates $5 Million to Fight Childhood Cancer by Trican Well Service Ltd., December 14, 2011, Canada News Wire The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation received a generous gift of $5 milliontoday from Trican Well Service Ltd. in support of childhood cancer … Continue reading →

New evidence shows Lobbyist Registrar missed the mark in his report on cozy relationship between government and energy industry: documents show CAPP called the shots on government plans for shale gas Alberta Federation of Labour Press Release, November 30, 2011 “The … Continue reading →

Clash over local drilling by Sarah Junkin, November 30, 2011, p. 6, Cochrane Times “we found it patronizing and insulting to sit there listening to a lecture on how to maintain our water wells when they’re actually making toxic soup in our … Continue reading →

Fracking issue in spotlight once again by Derek Clouthier, November 30, 2011, Cochrane Eagle “We found the open house extremely disturbing,” said POWERS coordinator Patty Pickup, who emphasized the importance of a set of 40 questions her group submitted to several oil … Continue reading →

EnCana donates towards new indoor playground in Dawson Creek by Matthew Baines, November 29, 2012, EnergenicCity.ca

EnCana donates $200 to transition home for women and children in Dawson Creek by Matthew Baines, November 25, 2011, EnergeticCity.ca Local employees with the Calgary-based oil and gas producer raised $200 through an internal fundraising campaign, and the company matched that amount … Continue reading →

EnCana, chuckwagon driver present cheques for Dawson Creek food bank November 16, 2011, p. 26,dawsoncreek.ca The monetary total includes a contribution from EnCana, which agreed to match cash donations dollar-for-dollar, and $2 per pound of food, up to a total of … Continue reading →

Tremors on fracking November 5, 2011, The Edmonton Journal The process of hydraulic fracturing…is causing the earth to quake, and tremors are noticeable several kilometres away.

EnCana donates to Northern Medical Program Trust by Erica Fisher, November 3, 2011, Energetic City

Fracking discussions still moving forward by Derek Clouthier, October 19, 2011, Cochrane Eagle Just the word itself has ignited a passionate debate in Cochrane and around the world on whether this particular form of oil and gas exploration is a … Continue reading →

Council of Canadian Academies: Harnessing Science and Technology to Understand the Environmental Impacts of Shale Gas Extraction The full assessment process is expected to take 18 to 24 months…. Question for Assessment: What is the state of knowledge of potential environmental … Continue reading →

Oil exploration increasing in Springbank by Derek Clouthier, September 19, 2011, Cochrane Eagle Calgary oil and gas company, Bernum Petroleum Ltd., held an open house Oct. 11 in an effort to introduce itself to the community of Springbank and field … Continue reading →

Residents opposed to fracking meet in Cochrane by Rachel Maclean, September 14, 2011, Cochrane Eagle

Not so easy to ‘whack the fracks,’ council hears by John Gleeson, September 13, 2011, Mountainview Gazette 

Fracking grievances aired at Eagle Hill by John Gleeson, September 13, 2011, Mountainview Gazette The Energy Resources Conservation Board is currently reviewing all its regulations in light of new extraction technology and will make an important announcement soon on the disclosure of … Continue reading →

Three women arrested after blocking entrance to drill site in Alberta Canadian Press, September 10, 2011, GlobalBC 

Canadian fracking guidelines unveiled, CAPP aims to increase transparency by Dan Healing, September 9, 2011, Calgary Herald CAPP, the lobby group that represents most of Canada’s oil and gas producers, came up with the environmental and disclosure guidelines to reassure the public … Continue reading →

ERCB on hot seat at synergy group’s open house by John Gleeson, Mountain View Gazette, June 21, 2011 A cancelled speaker and some unanswered questions put the Energy Resources Conservation Board on the hot seat at a synergy group open house last … Continue reading →

What Lies Beneath? Almost 100,000 spent oil and gas wells litter Alberta.  Who will pay the clean-up cost? by Doug Horner, Alberta Views, Vol 14, No 2, March 2011, pgs 30-34. The land we’re standing on has been in Bruder’s … Continue reading →

Encana Corporation Investor Day: March 16 & 18, 2010 Mr. Stacy Knull, Vice-President, Clearwater Business Unit In our integrated Horseshoe Canyon CBM well, we’re similar in a way, although we’re vertical, but we sometimes produce over 40 zones into a single … Continue reading →