JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – TSX-listed energy company Athabasca Oil Corporation has resumed operations at its Hangingstone facility, 20 km south of Fort McMurray, which has been engulfed by a Canadian wildfire starting in early May, forcing widespread evacuations and a prolonged shutdown of all oil operations in the region.
Athabasca confirmed on Tuesday that there had been no damage to its assets. Prior to the shutdown on May 5, production volumes reached in excess of 9 000 bbl/d.
The company expected the reservoir at Hangingstone to repressurise to normal operating levels over the next several weeks, with no anticipated long-term impacts.
Athabasca would continue to work closely with the province, region and industry to monitor and manage the fire risk.