Syncrude enters plea to waterfowl charges

Oil sands operator will outline reasons why during court process

FORT MCMURRAY, AB, Sept. 14 /CNW/ - Syncrude entered pleas of not guilty in court today to charges following the large number of waterfowl that died on its site in April of 2008.

Lawyers entered the pleas to the charges under Section 5.1 of the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Section 155 under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.

"After closely reviewing the charges and all of the evidence at our disposal, we have made the decision to plead not guilty to the charges laid," said Syncrude President and CEO Tom Katinas. "Out of respect for the judicial system, I'm not able to outline why we have taken this position. We will provide our reasons in court, and we ask Canadians for their patience as we go through this legal process."

The provincial court trial is scheduled to begin March 1st, 2010 in St. Albert.

"Everyone at Syncrude feels terrible that this happened at our operation. Making good use of hindsight, we have made enhancements to our waterfowl protection program to help prevent it from occurring again," Katinas added. "I'd like to reiterate we're sorry for what happened and recognize this loss of wildlife is completely unacceptable."

More information on changes to the waterfowl protection program is available at www. syncrude.ca.

The Syncrude Project is a joint venture operated by Syncrude Canada Ltd. and owned by Canadian Oil Sands Limited, ConocoPhillips Oilsands Partnership II, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Limited, Murphy Oil Company Ltd., Nexen Oil Sands Partnership, and Petro-Canada Oil and Gas (a Suncor Energy Business).

For further information: Alain Moore at [phone] or Syncrude's website at www.syncrude.com