CNRL fined for 2010 spill into creek near Spirit River

Canadian Natural Resources Limited has plead guilty to a charge for releasing oil into a Spirit River-area creek that is home to fish.

The spill occurred on May 23rd, 2010, when six cubic metres of oil was released, 0.75 of which got into Sneddon Creek.

The incident was considered a mistake by an employee, who forgot to close valves that were open to release oxygen from oil wells.

Fortunately, no fish deaths were reported as a result.

CNRL has been ordered to pay a $12,000 fine, and to donate $113,000 to Environment Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund.