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Gold/Mining/Energy : Bearcat (BEA-C) & Stampede (STF-C) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Bearcatbob who wrote (1977)	10/25/1999 11:59:00 PM
From: TANTRAMAR	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2306

Hi Bob: A little good news to report. The attached news release outlines EUB approval of a well by Startech Energy about 3 miles north of the 2-21 well(ESSO). The detailed decision report is interesting and has some excellent maps of the area. The report is available on the EUB's web site. This well also got a rough ride from the local community, who seem to have NIMBY issues. Regards From Alberta. EUB PREPARED TO APPROVE SOUR GAS WELL IN PRIDDIS/MILLARVILLE AREA IF CONDITIONS ARE MET Calgary, Alberta (25 October 1999) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) today released Decision 99-26 on an application by Startech Energy Inc. for a well licence to drill a noncritical level-1 sour gas well (Application No. 1027549). The well would be located at legal subdivision 13-32-21-3W5, in the Priddis area southwest of Calgary. In its decision, the Board states that it is prepared to issue the applied-for well licence provided that Startech first meets a number of conditions related to emergency response planning, environmental protection, and public consultation. The Board would not issue the well licence until all these conditions were met. Additionally, once the well licence is issued, the Board is imposing other conditions that Startech must also meet prior to, during, and after drilling, should the well be successful. The application by Startech was considered at a public hearing held in Priddis beginning on 13 April 1999. At the hearing, the EUB received submissions on issues relating to the need for the well, proposed well and access road locations and impacts, safety of the well (including potential hydrogen sulphide [H2S] release rates), drilling, completion and production considerations, public safety risk assessment, emergency response planning and preparedness, public notification and consultation, and other matters. One of these matters involved the fact that each of Startech, Stampede Oils Inc., and Berkley Petroleum Corp. had applied to the Board for well licences in the Priddis and Millarville areas and that each of them contemplated additional wells and facilities if their initial wells were successful. The Board subsequently asked these companies to submit initial conceptual development plans for the area. This has been done. In its decision, the Board states that it believes the risks associated with the proposed well are representative of normal industrial risks accepted by society and that the well can be drilled safely. However, the Board notes public concerns regarding Startech?s emergency response planning, which identified two components: an emergency planning zone to be used in an emergency response plan detailing evacuation plans and procedures, and a larger emergency awareness zone for residents who would not normally be included in the emergency response plan or in any evacuation planning. The Board notes in its decision that it would not normally require a company to develop a site-specific emergency response plan for a noncritical level-1 sour gas well where there are no residences within or bordering the emergency planning zone. However, the Board expects industry to respond to public concern by adjusting the size and configuration of the emergency planning zone and establishing reasonable site-specific emergency response procedures. The Board concludes that a higher maximum potential H2S release rate than the one estimated by Startech could reasonably be expected and must therefore be used for emergency response planning purposes. Accordingly, the Board directs that, based on the higher potential H2S release rate, Startech must implement an emergency planning zone of at least 904 metres (more than nine-tenths of a kilometre) around the well. Any property owner within the emergency awareness zone could, if they wish, also be incorporated into the emergency response plan for evacuation planning. A further issue involves gas production during testing of the well. Startech must advise the Board on the testing status of incineration technology so that the Board can determine if the incineration equipment could handle the flow rate of the well and meet provincial guidelines for emissions. Startech must also consult with the community on topics such as notification, evacuation and ignition criteria, description of ignition equipment, roadblock procedures, details regarding school bus schedules and procedures for rerouting or delivering children to alternative locations, plus details on mobile air-monitoring equipment. Startech must show that it has developed a significantly enhanced emergency response plan that will address the specific needs of the public as part of the conditions outlined in Decision 99-26. This Media Release, and the Decision are also available on the EUB Web site at eub.gov.ab.ca