Notice of Application
OSCA Application 1925574
EPEA Applications 016-00149968 and 004-00228044
Water Act Applications 005-00228047, 001-00457221, and 001-00457222
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Horizon Oil Sands Mine and Processing Plant and Horizon South
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has received integrated Oil Sands Conservation Act (OSCA) application 1925574, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) applications 016-00149968 and 004-00228044, and Water Act (WA) applications 005-00228047, 001-00457221, and 001-00457222 from Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) for approval to integrate Horizon South (previously called the Joslyn north mine) with the Horizon oil sands mine and processing plant (Horizon). The AER is reviewing the applications together with the supporting documents.
This notice sets out the deadline for filing statements of concern on these applications. See the section below on how to file a statement of concern for filing dates.
Description of the Applications
CNRL has applied to
- amend approval 9752H and rescind approval 11283A under OSCA;
- amend approval 00149968-01-00 and rescind approval 00228044-00-00 under EPEA;
- amend licence 00228047-00-00 (see below) and cancel licence 00230854-00-00 under the WA; and
- obtain a new integrated fenceline approval and a new licence under the WA.
The new WA approval is to construct and operate water management facilities at the integrated Horizon and Horizon South site. The new WA licence is to divert for the integrated site up to 3 330 000 cubic metres (m3) of surface runoff per year within the Ells and Tar River watersheds and up to 400 000 m3 of groundwater per year. The amendment to WA licence 00228047-00-00 is to remove the surface runoff diversion and groundwater diversion previously approved for the Joslyn north mine from the licence, which would reduce the total water allocation by 4 400 000 m3 per year.
All ore from Horizon South will be processed at the existing Horizon processing plant with no increase to production or throughput. Horizon South’s disturbance footprint and emissions will be less than what was previously approved for the Joslyn north mine. The integration will also eliminate the need for the oil sands processing plant, external tailings facility, and end-pit lake that were approved for the Joslyn north mine. Site preparation at Horizon South is expected to start in November 2020, with mining beginning in July 2022.
The integrated site is located about 60 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, in Townships 95, 96, and 97; Ranges 11, 12, and 13; West of the 4th Meridian.
For a copy of the applications, contact
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Suite 2100, 855 – 2 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 4J8
Attention: Michelle MacDonald, Regulatory Coordinator
Phone: 403-386-8178
Fax: 780-828-3750
Email: michelle.macdonald@cnrl.com
To receive a copy of the applications and supporting documents, submit an information request, as outlined at www1.aer.ca/ProductCatalogue/ordering.html, to
AER Information Distribution Services
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Telephone: 1-855-297-8311
(toll free; option 0)
Email: InformationRequest@aer.ca
Refer to this notice when requesting information for a faster response.
Requirement to File a Statement of Concern
If you have concerns with these applications, you must file a statement of concern as described below. If you do not file a statement of concern, the AER may approve the applications without further notice.
How to File a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must be filed before 4:00 p.m. on December 18, 2019. Send one copy of your statement of concern to CNRL at the name and address above and one copy to
Authorizations Branch
Alberta Energy Regulator
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Fax: 403-297-7336
Email: SOC@aer.ca
Contents of a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must include
a) why you believe that you may be directly and adversely affected by a decision of the AER on the applications;
b) the nature of your objection to the applications;
c) the outcome of the applications that you advocate;
d) the location of your land, residence, or activity in relation to the location of the energy resource activity that is the subject of the applications; and
e) your contact information, including your name, address in Alberta, telephone number, and email address or, if you do not have an email address, your fax number.
The AER also asks that you include the application numbers in your statement of concern.
Confidentiality
Section 49 of the Alberta Energy Regulator Rules of Practice (Rules of Practice) requires that all documents and information filed in a proceeding be placed on the public record. If you file a submission, you must not include any personal information that you do not want to appear on or are not authorized to put on the public record. Section 49(2) of the Rules of Practice states how to apply to the AER for an order to keep information confidential. The Rules of Practice is available on the AER website at www.aer.ca.
Jurisdiction
Submissions relating exclusively to compensation for land use are not dealt with by the AER and should be referred to the Alberta Surface Rights Board.
Under section 21 of the Responsible Energy Development Act, the AER does not have the jurisdiction to assess the adequacy of Crown consultation associated with the rights of aboriginal peoples as recognized and affirmed under the Constitution Act, 1982.
For information on AER procedures, contact the authorizations specialist, Edward Zeng, by phone at 403-297-2982 or by email to edward.zeng@aer.ca.
Issued at Calgary, Alberta, on November 18, 2019.
ALBERTA ENERGY REGULATOR
Charlene Graham, General Counsel
