By Taylor MacPherson

Husky granted 30-day extension for report on cause of spill

Oct 21, 2016 | 2:02 PM

Husky Energy has another month before presenting official conclusions on the cause of this summer’s oil spill.

The energy giant was granted a 30-day extension yesterday by the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy for the submission of their technical reports on the failure the pipeline which leaked oil into the North Saskatchewan River in July.

Assistant Deputy Minister Doug MacKnight told reporters the additional time was needed “to complete a metallurgic report on the failed pipeline, as well as a geotechnical study and report on the lands where the failure occurred.”

MacKnight said a third-party contractor is preparing both reports.

“Husky will be providing its assessment of the cause of the July 21 incident on or before Monday, November 21, 2016,” MacKnight said.

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“Overall, the investigation is proceeding quite well,” MacKnight said, but added the technical analysis and documentation will still require significant amounts of work.

“At this point the ministry is not able to provide firm timelines on when this process will be completed,” MacKnight said. “Our focus right now is on conducting a full and thorough inquiry.”

MacKnight said the reports required major scientific and engineering research, and the extension was granted to ensure accuracy. He said Husky could request a further extension under the existing regulations, but said further extensions were unlikely.

“In granting the extension our expectation is clearly that we expect the reports to be delivered on or before that date,” he said.

Although its official report has been delayed, Husky released some preliminary data today regarding the extent of the spill. According to Husky, 225 cubic metres of oil were leaked, with a margin of error of 10 per cent. Husky said 210 cubic metres, or 93 per cent of the spilled oil was recovered. Husky also stated the area of the spill was 41,500 square metres.

Ministry of Environment spokesperson Ash Olesen told the media the cleanup efforts were put on hold for the winter.

“We consider the shoreline assessment and cleanup complete for 2015,” Olesen said. “That activity will resume in the spring of 2017.”

Olesen said the response team has “demobilized” from the cleanup sites, and Husky will continue to monitor the river over the winter “as well as weather allows.”

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

@TMacPhersonNews