Wildfire in Canada halts oil sand production

A wildfire that started on Friday in northeastern Alberta edge closer to two major oil sands has doubled in size to 42,000 acres on Wednesday.

The fire has caused energy companies in Alberta to shut down production of 233,000 barrels per day, which amounts to nearly 10 percent of the country’s total sands output.

The fire spread uncontrollably to the Canadian military’s Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, nearing the oil sands projects. The Foster Creek project operated by integrated oil company Cenovus Energy and oil exploration and production Canadian Natural’s Primrose oil sands facilities were halted and evacuated over the weekend.

“The only change is that the fire is now estimated at around 20 kilometres from Foster Creek versus 25 kilometres yesterday,” Cenovus spokesman Brett Harris confirmed on Wednesday. Neither company could say when production at their facilities would resume.

Canada ranks as the fifth-largest crude supplier globally. Most of its oil comes from the oil sand reserves located in northern Alberta.

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