Alberta energy, environment ministers concerned about Nexen pipeline spill

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – Alberta’s energy and environment ministers say they’re concerned about a pipeline spill that was discovered in the oilsands region last week.

Marg McCuaig-Boyd and Shannon Phillips toured the cleanup site 35 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray, along with a representative from a nearby aboriginal community.

Both ministers say they have confidence in the investigation underway by the Alberta Energy Regulator, an arms-length watchdog.

The ruptured year-old pipeline at Nexen Energy’s Long Lake oilsands site spilled about 35,000 Bbl of bitumen, sand and produced water over a 4 acre area.

Phillips says despite the event, pipelines are still the safest way to transport petroleum products.