Crude Oil Spill Results in $125,000 Penalty

Crude oil spilled from an emergency overflow tank, releasing an estimated 6,000 litres of crude oil, of which approximately 750 litres entered Sneddon Creek, a tributary to the Peace River. An investigation by Environment Canada concluded that the spill was caused by valves that were left open. The company also failed to ensure that operational procedures were followed. It pleaded guilty to violating the Fisheries Act by releasing a substance harmful to fish into fish-bearing waters. It was fined $12,000 and ordered to pay $113,000 to the Environmental Damages Fund [Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Govt. News Release, March 17, 2015].