Alberta oil spared by fires

EDMONTON, Alberta, May 11 (UPI) -- None of the infrastructure in Alberta, home to some of the largest oil deposits in the world, was damaged by raging wildfires, the government said.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley met with more than a dozen top executives to review the situation in Fort McMurray, home to some of the largest provincial oil sands operations. This week, Canadian energy company Suncor said the fire had approached its doorsteps, but abatement measures were successful at preventing any damage.

In its latest update, the provincial government said fires in Fort McMurray encompass about 565 square miles, a decline of about 25 percent from earlier this week. The fires are moving east toward the provincial border with Saskatchewan.

For oil, the provincial government said there are extensive safety measures in place to ensure the safe closing and restarting of operations.

"Oil sands sites in the Fort McMurray region have been secured and are not in danger from the wildfire at this point," the government said in a statement. "No consequential damage was sustained by any oil sands facility or other energy infrastructure."

S&P Global Platts reported the fires in Alberta sidelined an estimated 1 million barrels per day in Canadian oil production since they erupted in early May. Some facilities in the region remain closed.

"I gave my commitment to industry that we will continue to work closely together to protect key infrastructure and on the plan for a safe and timely recovery," Notley said.

As fires started moving east, however, some restart plans were enacted. Shell Canada said its facilities were closed for less than six days and staff were arriving via air transport to resume oil sands mining operations.

Canada is the No. 1 oil supplier to the U.S. market. Its own economy has stumbled because of the pressure from lower crude oil prices. Tim McMillan, president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said the sector remains tough.

"The industry, the community, and its people are resilient, and that resiliency will allow industry to return to full production and provide North America and other markets the energy the world needs," he said.