Canadian First Nation urges Obsidian Energy to address quake concerns

Obsidian Energy

13/02/2024 24:07

By Nia Williams
       Feb 12 (Reuters) - An Indigenous community in Alberta on
Monday criticized Obsidian Energy  OBE.TO  for failing to
address ongoing concerns about its operations after regulators
said the Canadian oil and gas producer was responsible for a
series of earthquakes.
    The quakes, including one with a local magnitude of 5.6,
took place over nearly four months in the territory of the
Woodland Cree First Nation in northern Alberta between November
2022 and March 2023.
    In March the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) found that
Obsidian caused the series of seismic events by disposing of
industrial wastewater underground, and gave the company 15 days
to produce a mitigation plan.    
    However, chief Isaac Laboucan-Avirom said Obsidian had
refused to "meaningfully meet or work" with Woodland Cree First
Nation to address their concerns since then. Lack of
collaboration with First Nations could put oil and gas
development at risk more widely, he said.
    "This calls into question the company and underlines the
need for their executives to come to the table and address the
concerns of rights holders in the region," Laboucan-Avirom said
in a statement.
    Obsidian did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.
    The Calgary-based company produces around 32,000 barrels of
oil equivalent per day and operates primarily in the Peace,
Cardium and Viking plays in Alberta.
    

 (Reporting by Nia Williams in British Columbia; Editing by
Sonali Paul)
 ((nia.williams@thomsonreuters.com; +1 403 531 1624; Reuters
Messaging: nia.williams.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))