Notice of Application
Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act – 023-00153125, Water Act – 019-00205433, 002-00329253, 011-00186157, and 002-00329252
Canadian Natural Upgrading Limited
Jackpine Oil Sands Processing Plant and Mine
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has received Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) renewal application 023-00153125, Water Act (WA) renewal applications 019-00205433, 002-00329253, 011-00186157 and 002-00329252 from Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL), on behalf of Canadian Natural Upgrading Limited (CNUL), for the Jackpine Oil Sands Processing Plant and Mine (JPM).
The AER is reviewing these applications together.
This notice also sets out the deadline for filing a statement of concern under the section How to File a Statement of Concern.
Description of the Applications
CNUL has applied for a renewed EPEA approval under the EPEA (renewal of 00153125-01-00), for two renewed WA approvals (renewal of 00205433-01-00 and 00329253-00-00) and for two renewed WA licenses (renewal of 00186157-01-00 and 00329252-00-00) under the WA. CNUL is seeking a ten-year renewal term for the EPEA approval and the WA approvals and licences.
The scope of the applications include:
- For EPEA, there are no new activities proposed for JPM as part of the renewal;
- For the WA approvals, there are no new activities proposed as part of the renewal;
- For the WA licences, administrative changes are proposed for the two licences as outlined in the application:
- To update references to “Stage 1 of the project” and “Stage 2 of the project”; and
- To implement administrative corrections related to the allocation volumes.
- The 2019 Life of Mine Closure Plan (LMCP) has been appended to the application:
- An LMCP is required by Specified Enactment Direction (SED) 003, Direction for Conservation and Reclamation Submissions Under an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act Approval for Mineable Oil Sands Sites; and
- CNUL has indicated that the 2019 LMCP is in alignment with:
- The current EPEA and WA application materials;
- The current Life of Mine Plan under the Oil Sands Conservation Act (OSCA); and
- The 2022 Tailings Management Plan (TMP) under OSCA.
The CNUL JPM is a currently operating oil sands mine that includes:
- Current mining operations;
- Current processing facilities; and
- Future development within the already approved Jackpine Mine Expansion (JPME) area and associated facilities to support JPME.
These applications refer to the construction, operational, and reclamation activities and projects that are ongoing, and previously approved. There are no new activities, equipment, emissions, locations or impacts to be included in these updated applications. In addition, there are no updates to water diversion rates, water diversion points, general water use, nor the WA fenceline.
The Project is located approximately 70 km north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, and about 500 km northeast of Edmonton. The Project is contained within Townships 095, 096, and 097 and Ranges 08 and 09, West of the 4th Meridian.
For a copy of the applications, contact
Canadian Natural Upgrading Limited
2100 – 855 2nd Street SW
Calgary, AB T2P 4J8
Attention: Anne Umpleby, Coordinator, Regulatory – Oil Sands Regulatory
Telephone: 403-514-7945
E-mail: @email
To view the applications and supporting documents, use the Integrated Application Registry query tool and OneStop query tool available under Systems & Tools on the AER website, www.aer.ca. To receive a copy of the application 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)
Fax: 403-297-7040
Email: @email
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 notification.
How to File a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must be filed by 11:59 p.m. on the filing date below. Send one copy of your statement of concern to Canadian Natural Upgrading Limited at the name and address above and one copy either online via the AER’s web-based form or by mail or email:
Mail or email:
Regulatory Applications
Alberta Energy Regulator
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Fax: 403-297-7336
Email: @email
| March 07, 2024 | Final date to file a statement of concern. |
Contents of a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must include
- why you believe you may be directly and adversely affected by a decision of the AER on the application;
- the nature of your objection to the application;
- the outcome of the application you advocate;
- the location of your land, residence, or activity in relation to the location of the energy resource that is the subject of the application; and
- 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 requests that you include the application number 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 Land and Property Rights Tribunal (formerly the 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 regulatory applications specialist, Doug Koroluk, by phone at 403-297-6306 or by email to @email.
Issued at Calgary, Alberta, on February 6, 2024.
ALBERTA ENERGY REGULATOR