Stakeholder engagement for growth projects

Our approach

Engagement with our stakeholders is critical to our business. Successful relations are key to maintaining our licence to operate, allows access to the resource, as well as helps us to build positive and lasting relationships with communities.

What we are doing

In 2009, we conducted consultation in support of our work at our Cold Lake operation, Beaufort Sea exploration program, as well as Mackenzie gas, Kearl and Horn River projects. The following describes the actions we took in 2009.

Cold Lake Expansion

We are pursuing changes to our Nabiye project and its proposed plans to develop a new portion of our Cold Lake lease and expand heavy oil production. The project received regulatory approval in 2004. Three modifications are being considered to further improve environmental performance: an upgraded field development plan to reduce surface footprint, an additional cogeneration plant to improve energy efficiency, and new sulphur-removal facilities to reduce SO₂ emissions. In 2009, we shared information on our Nabiye project plans with local stakeholders through individual meetings, submitted project amendment applications to the regulators, open houses and newsletters. 

Beaufort Sea exploration program

We are consulting with local communities on exploration plans for our Ajurak offshore licence in the Beaufort Sea. In 2009, we held public meetings and met with elders, hunters, trappers, committees and local businesses to provide updates on project plans and listen to concerns. We also expanded our community engagement program to include workshops on topics of special interest to the company and communities. In 2009, workshops on well safety and ice management took place in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. We plan to hold future workshops on waste management, oil spill response, and business and employment opportunities.

Mackenzie gas project

Located in Canada’s north, the proposed Mackenzie gas project would create the pipeline infrastructure to bring onshore natural gas to North American markets. After several years of work, advancing the project continues to be a highly complex process.

The Joint Review Panel has examined the socio-economic and environmental impact of the pipeline and conditionally recommended approval of the project in late 2009. The National Energy Board will consider the report’s findings and the federal government’s response to the report when it decides whether the project is in the public interest and should be allowed to proceed. This decision is anticipated in 2010.

In the interim, we have continued to consult with regional Aboriginal communities and the federal government on various issues. In 2009, we made progress in advancing benefits and access agreements with Aboriginal groups. These agreements address community benefits such as education, training, employment and business opportunities, and access to private lands.  In 2009, the K’ahsho Got’ine ratified their benefits and access agreements. Agreements are now in place with four out of the five Aboriginal groups along the proposed project route.

We also continued discussions with the federal government on the terms of a fiscal framework that would be appropriate for the project.

Kearl project

We are consulting with stakeholders to develop our Kearl project in an environmentally, socially and economically responsible way. Currently, the site has been cleared and we are in the early stages of construction.

We have established co-operation agreements with key First Nation and Métis communities in the region. The agreements provide a framework for ongoing consultation and address such issues as capacity building, environmental action plans and impact on traditional lands. To steward the agreements, we have established advisory committees with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the Mikisew Cree First Nation as well as an elders’ council with the Fort McKay First Nation. In 2009, 10 meetings were held with these groups.

Fort McKay Elders touring the Kearl site. Community consultation is an integral part of responsible development, and we plan to continue these annual First Nations tours as part of our ongoing consultation with stakeholders in the region.

During consultation meetings in 2009 with local communities, advisory committees and the council, we were asked about our project’s impacts on water resources. To answer their questions, we held information sessions with the committees and Métis Local 125. These sessions provided an opportunity to hear concerns and outline the various measures, including water recycling that will be used to minimize the project’s environmental impacts.

Local Aboriginal communities have also indicated that they would like to be consulted on reclamation plans for the project. We have been consulting with these communities as a normal course of business and have incorporated traditional knowledge and the advice of elders and other community members into the project’s design, including our reclamation plans for a compensation lake. In 2009, members of the advisory committees participated in tours of the Kearl site, allowing them a chance to view the construction site and ask questions about the project. We also reviewed design and permitting of the site with the Fort McKay Industry Relations Corporation.

During the year, we met with the advisory committees and other Aboriginal groups to review our plans for seismic work and exploration drilling on our leases in early 2010. Our team heard stakeholder concerns about caribou- and moose-restricted zones. Community groups also emphasized the need for expedited winter operations. We have committed to communicate with stakeholders throughout this work.

We also have operating leases outside of Kearl and recognize the need to expand our outreach activities to communities south of Fort McMurray. In 2009, we took steps to strengthen our relationship with the Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation, becoming an associate member of the First Nation’s Industry Relations Corporation. We also met with Métis Local 1935 to discuss our project plans.

We continue to participate in different environmental multi-stakeholder forums in the Fort McMurray region, including the Cumulative Effects Management Association (CEMA), the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP) and the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA). Made up of government, industry and community groups, CEMA works collaboratively to develop environmental management frameworks and make recommendations to government. RAMP and WBEA collect credible information on water and air quality and make this information available to the public. We are also a member of the Oil Sands Developers Group (OSDG) and take an active role on various OSDG committees, including those focused on health, Aboriginal affairs, and environmental and regulatory affairs.

Horn River

We are working with First Nations, government and communities to share information and answer questions about our shale gas drilling program in the Horn River Basin in northeastern British Columbia. 

We regularly meet with Fort Nelson First Nation representatives, including the chief and council and the Lands Department, to update them on our project activities and discuss ways to minimize impacts on their livelihood. Leaders from the community have expressed concerns about the cumulative impacts of industrial development in the area. In 2009, we sponsored a traditional land-use study to gather information collaboratively on cultural and traditional areas in the region, including and surrounding our lease. We plan to use the report findings to minimize our footprint during planning and construction of a road extension to our project site.

Imperial employees get to know our Aboriginal neighbours during the annual Petitot River Summer Gathering near Fort Nelson, B.C

We are also meeting with local government representatives and business groups to increase their understanding of business opportunities resulting from the project. A key concern for municipal officials is local employment. In 2009, we held two business development workshops, where we discussed work qualifications and opportunities for contractors.