Oil sands protest update

FORT MCMURRAY, AB, Sept. 16 /CNW/ - The protest at Shell's Muskeg River Mine continues with activists remaining in the mine but in a location that is isolated from active operations. The mine is operating at full production with no business disruption.

"We have made a conscious decision to allow the Greenpeace protest to continue for now," said John Abbott , Shell's Executive Vice President of Heavy Oil. "Our offer to discuss their concerns about oil sands developments and their vision for the energy future still stands. Greenpeace has not yet responded."

Shell has taken a non-confrontational approach to this protest but will always act to ensure safety of people and its operations.

"An incident investigation is underway and security in general has increased," Abbott said. "We are developing an important resource that society needs, and doing it safely, responsibly and in compliance with all laws and regulations."

Shell's oil sands business has thorough, accredited environmental management systems. Shell is the most energy efficient mineable oil sands operator, and the proponent of a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project in Alberta.

"No one is working harder than Shell to deliver energy to Canadians responsibly and to close the 5-15% gap between oil sands and the realistic commercial alternatives," Abbott said. "We had hoped Greenpeace would want to discuss our mutual concerns over climate change and provide their views on policy options during this critical time."

On the CO2 policy front, Shell advocates for robust cap and trade CO2 policies in Canada and around the world.

Shell sees its business currently guided by what it calls 'The Three Hard Truths,' a three-pronged reality of increasing energy demand, declining conventional supplies and the need to address climate change in a meaningful way.

Greenpeace activists are beginning day two at Shell's Albian Sands mine north of Fort McMurray. Yesterday morning Shell staff detected unauthorized people in the mine pit. Shell's safety and security protocols were promptly enacted, all heavy equipment was halted and the site secured. Production resumed early yesterday afternoon once activists were safely isolated.

More information on Shell's oil sands business is available at www.shell.ca/oilsands.

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