CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Nov. 6, 2015) - Following commitments made after the Auditor General's report on dam safety in Alberta, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has released the results of its dam safety inspections held earlier this year.

Containment structures like dams and liquid impoundments, including oil sands tailing ponds, coal tailings ponds, and oil and gas fluid storage ponds, are used in the environmentally responsible development of Alberta's energy resources. Over the past six months, AER inspectors have examined 100 of the 111 containment structures that it regulates to ensure that they are constructed, operated, maintained, and decommissioned safely.

Of the 11 structures not inspected, 9 were only recently approved for start of construction. The remaining 2 will be inspected next year and are considered low risk.

"The AER has a proactive inspection program in place to ensure that dams and other containment structures related to energy resource development remain in compliance with safety and environmental requirements. The most recent round of inspections uncovered one significant deficiency, which is the subject of an active investigation," said Kirk Bailey, executive vice president of Operations with the AER. "Albertans should feel confident that the AER is committed to protecting what matters most - public safety and the environment."

Inspections of 55 oil sands structures and 14 oil and gas structures did not identify any significant deficiencies.

AER staff also inspected 31 coal mine structures. One structure, owned by Coal Valley Resources, was found to be significantly deficient. Inspectors found erosion within the structure, which was causing a free flow of water from a partially reclaimed pit, which is a contravention of several Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act approval conditions. The AER is investigating this noncompliance and will release the results of its investigation when complete. Information about the ongoing investigation can be found on the Compliance Dashboard.

In March 2014, the AER assumed responsibility for regulating all containment structures used in the development of Alberta's energy resources. In March 2015, the AER committed to making results of the dam safety inspections public.

The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of hydrocarbon resources over their entire life cycle. This includes allocating and conserving water resources, managing public lands, and protecting the environment while providing economic benefits for all Albertans.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

Following commitments made after the Auditor General's report on dam safety in Alberta, the Alberta Energy Regulator has released the results from its inspections of 100 of the 111 dams and liquid impoundments that it regulates in the province. In all but one instance, AER requirements were met.

Backgrounder: AER-regulated dams

AER-Regulated Dams

The following chart lists oil sands dams, dates of inspection, structures inspected, and the findings. Dams are rated based on the Dam Safety Guidelines, published in 2007 by the Canadian Dam Association. The scale is based on the consequence of a critical failure of the structure.

Oil Sands Dams (very high to extreme consequence)
Company		Operations		Date of Inspection		Structure		Consequence Classification	Inspection Findings
Syncrude		Mildred Lake		July 21-23, 2015		Mildred Lake Settling Basin		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						West In-pit NS End Enclosure		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Southwest I.P. North End Dam		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Southwest Berm (Dyke)		Very High	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Coke Cell 5		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Southwest Sand Storage Facility		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						EIP Highway 63 Berm		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						EIP North Closure Dam		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						EIP Boundary Dyke Facility		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Mildred Lake Dam		Very High	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Beaver Creek Diversion		Very High	No significant deficiencies discovered.
		Aurora North		July 24, 2015		Aurora Settling Basin		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
Suncor		Lease 86/17		August 24-26, 2015		Pond 1		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Pond 1a		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Pond 2/3		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Pond 4, 4G, 4G2		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Pond 5		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Pond 6		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
		Millenium Mine		August 24-26, 2015		Pond 7		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Pond 8		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Pond 8a		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Pond 8b		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						South Tailings Pond		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
Shell		Muskeg River Mine		July 22-23, 2015		External Tailings Facility (ETF)		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						South Expansion Area (SEA)		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						In-Pit Dykes (1, 2, 2i, 3S, 3N)		Very High	No significant deficiencies discovered.
		Jackpine Mine		July 21, 2015		External Tailings Facility (ETF)		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						In-Pit Dykes		Very High	No significant deficiencies discovered.
Suncor		Fort Hills		September 1, 2015		Out-of-pit Tailing Area (OPTA)		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
CNRL		Horizon		August 27, 2015		Pond 1 (Dyke 10)		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
						Horizon Dam		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.
Imperial Oil		Kearl Project		September 2-3, 2015		External Tailings Area (ETA)		Extreme	No significant deficiencies discovered.