Energy company fined for snow fill violations in Peace River region

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – A Calgary-based energy company has been fined by the B.C. Energy Regulator (BCER) for the sixth time since 2018. 

Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL), a company based in Calgary, Alberta, was fined $75,000 in an administrative decision dated December 9th for multiple violations of the Energy Resource Road Regulation.  

Filed by Compliance and Enforcement Officer Ken McLean, the fine was handed out to the company after inspections in 2021 and 2022 led to the discovery of snow fill crossings constructed by CNRL near a well site in the Peace River region, approximately 110 kilometers from Fort St. John.

The three snow fill crossings were not removed before spring freshet, a flood caused by spring thaw or heavy rain, which was evident as during inspections in May 2022, water was beginning to wash away the snow fill. Two of the snow fills were identified as starting to cause backup of flow due to the snow fill being left in place. 

According to McLean’s report, a road permit holder ‘must remove snow fill stream crossings from the energy resource road before the spring freshet’ under Section 15.2 of the Energy Resource Road Regulation. 

In 2024 alone, the company received three fines totalling $118,100 and has accumulated six penalties from the BCER since 2018. 

CNRL has also received fines from the Alberta Energy Regulator for other well-drilling operations, including a $278,000 fine handed out in July 2024 for violating section 155 of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA).

The Alberta Energy Regulator states the fine was due to the company failing to ‘prevent a hazardous substance that contained bitumen from coming into contact with birds and other wildlife, resulting in bird fatalities.’ 

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission also fined CNRL $8,000 in July 2023 for a safety violation at a facility near Fort McMurray regarding safe possession, transfer, importation, exportation use, and storage of fixed nuclear gauges. 

To read the complete report regarding the administrative decision signed on December 9th, see below.