Red Deer’s municipal planning commission has voted not to object to the Alberta Energy Regulator about a proposed sour oil well northeast of the city.
Canadian Oil and Gas International Inc. plans to drill the well from an existing pad about 1.5 km east of Red Deer’s boundary and north of Parkland Nurseries and Garden Centre.
Jim Benum, the city’s oil and gas liaison, said the well would be drilled to a depth of approximately 2,000 metres and then extend horizontally about 1.5 km to the northeast.
It will be tied into an existing pipeline, he said.
Although the site is located in Red Deer County, it’s within Red Deer’s future growth area, said Benum. Asked how long the well will remain in production, he said a 20- to 25-year timeline is anticipated.
“The lifespan of the well is really a best estimate.
“It depends on technology; it depends how quick this particular area depletes. It could be less; it could be more.”
Because hydrogen sulphide will be produced by the well, an emergency plan must be prepared by the company, added Benum.
Last year, Canadian Oil and Gas International and the city entered into an agreement for the development of several wells and pipelines in the area, including sour oil wells.
A week ago, the commission voted to not object to another Canadian Oil and Gas International application to the Alberta Energy Regulator for the construction of a new pipeline and the installation a polyethylene liner in an existing pipeline on Red Deer’s eastern outskirts.
The company said that project would enable it to abandon another pipeline even closer to the city’s urban area.