Nexen pipeline spill likely not the last, First Nations group warns

Oil spill from Nexen Energy pipeline in northern Alberta tar sands, July 16, 2015.

Alberta oil pipeline cleanup covers area of 2 CFL football fields

CBC News, July 18, 2015

In the wake of a massive pipeline leak in northern Alberta, a First Nations group in the area is worried more spills will happen unless environmental standards are tightened.

“If we continue to accept that these types of incidents are the status quo of development we are also accepting the illegal abrogation of the rights and title of First Nations,” Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation said Saturday.

Nexen pipeline leak in Alberta spills 5 million litres

Nexen Energy’s Long Lake facility at Alberta’s tar sands. Photo: CBC News.

Nexen Energy spill south of Fort McMurray covers about 16,000 square metres

CBC News, July 16, 2015

One of the largest leaks in Alberta history has spilled about five million litres of emulsion from a Nexen Energy pipeline at the company’s Long Lake oilsands facility south of Fort McMurray.

The leak was discovered Wednesday afternoon.

Nexen said in a statement its emergency response plan has been activated and personnel were onsite. The leak has been stabilized, the company said.

The spill covered an area of about 16,000 square metres, mostly within the pipeline corridor, the company said. Emulsion is a mixture of bitumen, water and sand.