Oil sands sites look to restart as fire threat recedes

摘要

The oils sands industry in the Canadian province of Alberta faces a decreasing threat from massive forest fires that began on 3 May. But forced shutdowns and the mass evacuation of tens of thousands of workers and residents continue to affect operations. Canadian pipeline operator Enbridge on 11 May restarted the 550,000 b/d Line 18 pipeline at its Cheecham terminal which, along with the Athabasca facility, were not damaged. The company ships more than half of the bitumen and diluted bitumen from the fire-ravaged Fort McMurray region. Restoring oil sands operations at sites north of the city of Fort McMurray, significant parts of which were damaged by the fire, forcing its entire population to flee, will take less time than previously indicated, once provincial authorities give approval, Enbridge says.