Oilsands giant CNRL charged in 2nd sour gas leak

The Alberta government has laid 11 charges against CNRL in connection with a release of hydrogen sulphide from the company's Horizon Upgrader project near Fort McMurrayon Aug. 2, 2012.

• Alberta charges crude oil producer over alleged gas leak
• The Horizon Oil Sands site

Each charge carries the possibility of a fine of up to $500,000.

Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) opened itsinvestigation after receiving reports of high ambientair monitoring readings in the area and complaints from residents of the community of Fort MacKay, the province said in a news release Friday.

The chargesunder theEnvironmental Protection and Enhancement Actinclude:

• release of a substance causing a significant adverse effect;
• failure to ensure complete combustion at the flare stack, release of an unapproved substance, and failure to report approval contraventions;
• providing misleading information to the Director and the Fort McKay First Nation; and,
• failing to properly report the contravention and release to the Director and the Fort McKay First Nation.

Environment Minister Robin Campbell issued a written statement that doesn'tmention CNRL or the charges, but saidthe government takesenvironmental protection seriously.

"Our ability to open new markets for our oil or to maintainthe markets we have todaydepends on our credibility when it comesto responsible oilsands development," the statement said.

"Alberta is a leader when it comes to having stringentenvironmental monitoring, regulation and protection legislation. Weare proud of this and remain committed to ensuring that we developour resources in a responsible and sustainable way."

CNRLwas also charged with releasing hydrogen sulphide gas at the same plant back in 2010. Those charges are back in court in June 2014.

The company is to appear in Fort McMurray provincial court on the latest charges on April 14.

Hydrogen sulphide gas is produced during the bitumen upgrading process. It is highlypoisonous andflammable with the characteristic odour of rotten eggs.