Supporting Indigenous vendors through our Clearwater Abandonment Program

April 2021 - Our Clearwater Abandonment Program is just one example of our ongoing work to create mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous vendors in areas where we operate. We’ve teamed up with O’Chiese Contracting and Logistics Solutions Energy to start abandoning 58 wells and decommission related facilities in our Clearwater operating area in northwestern Alberta.

Clearwater was selected as an area of focus for abandonment and reclamation because of our existing inventory of wells there. This will enable a cost-effective, area-based program to directly reduce inactive liabilities and ongoing operating expenses while completing important environmental and restoration work.

“Using Indigenous vendors is an important part of how we do business,” says Jeff Nail, Group Lead, Well Abandonment at Cenovus. “It helps us meet our labour and service needs, but more importantly, it helps strengthen local economies around our operations. We’re proud to partner with these Indigenous companies on the Clearwater Abandonment Program.”

As part of the reclamation initiative, we’re leveraging the Alberta Government’s Site Rehabilitation Program (SRP), which makes funding available for abandonment and reclamation work in the province. By taking advantage of the SRP, the Clearwater abandonment team will be able to work with local and Indigenous contractors to create jobs, proactively reduce our liabilities and restore the environment.

The Clearwater abandonment team recently completed 20 well abandonments with our partnering vendors. The remaining 38 abandonments are expected to begin after spring break-up, with a target completion date of this summer.