Edmonton: A massive fire at the CFB Wainwright military base in Alberta, which left four soldiers dead and several others injured, has triggered a fresh controversy. Following the tragedy, a heated dispute has erupted between an oil company and the provincial energy regulator over the safety of nearby oil wells.
Military officials initially stated that energy infrastructure played no role in causing the blaze. However, Sumerian Oil & Gas Company alleges that hundreds of oil wells seized by the regulatory authority just days before the fire had not been safely shut down or secured.
On October 5, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) had transferred control of more than 300 of the company’s wells to the Orphan Well Association (OWA), citing operational failures, outstanding fees, and oil spills.
Sumerian claims that on the night of the fire, October 17, they alerted authorities that the wells were located directly within the fire zone. However, the company alleges that officials failed to take immediate action to secure and plug the wells.
In response, the Orphan Well Association stated that all of Sumerian’s wells on the military base have since been inspected and shut down, though they did not specify the exact date this work was completed.
Sumerian is now preparing to launch a legal appeal against the regulatory authority’s actions and take the matter to court. The company has also requested a special review led by the provincial Energy Minister.
Meanwhile, three separate investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the disaster. Official explanations indicate that the fire originated in a grenade launcher training area during a military exercise and spread rapidly due to high winds.
