Notice of Application
Water Act (WA) Approval Application No. 004-00457221 for approval extension of WA Approval No. 00457221-00-00
WA Licence Application No. 33604100 for renewal of WA Licence No. 00186921-01-00
WA Licence Application No. 33569898 for renewal of WA Licence No. 00457222-00-00
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Horizon Oil Sands Processing Plant and Mine
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has received Water Act (WA) Approval Application No. 004-00457221, WA Licence Application No. 33604100 and WA Licence Application No. 33569898 from Canadian Natural Resources Limited for a 10-year extension to the existing WA approval and 10-year renewals to the existing WA licences. The applications are to support the continued operation of the Horizon Oil Sands Processing Plant and mine, which also includes the existing approved Horizon South Project.
This notice also sets out the deadline for filing statements of concern under the section How to File a Statement of Concern.
Description of the Applications
Canadian Natural Resources Limited has applied under the WA for an approval extension and licence renewals to support ongoing mine development and operation for the next 10-year operating period. The applications include:
- continued surface and groundwater management activities at the site;
- renewal of existing maximum annual diversions from the following sources under WA licence 00186921-01-00 (Application no. 33604100):
- 51,020,000 cubic metres of water from the Athabasca River;
- 34,700,000 cubic metres of water from the Tar River and surface runoff sources tributary to the Tar and Calumet Rivers; and
- 7,300,000 cubic metres of water from groundwater;
- renewal of existing maximum annual diversions from the following sources under WA licence 00457222-00-00 (Application no. 33569898):
- 3,330,000 cubic metres of surface runoff water contributing to the Ells River and the Tar River; and
- 400,000 cubic metres of groundwater.
Horizon is located in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo approximately 70 kilometres (km) north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, approximately 17.8 km north of Fort McKay, Alberta, west of the Athabasca River within Townships 095, 096 and 097, Ranges 11, 12 and 13, west of the 4th Meridian (W4M).
The applications are for 10-year renewals of two existing WA licences and a 10-year extension of an existing WA approval.
For a copy of the applications, contact
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
2100, 855 - 2 Street SW
Calgary, AB T2P 4J8
Attention: MacKenzie Cator
Telephone: 403-517-6902
E-mail: mackenzie.cator@cnrl.com
To receive a copy of the application and supporting documents, submit an information request, as outlined at www1.aer.ca/ProductCatalogue/ordering.html, to
AER Information Distribution Services
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Telephone: 1-855-297-8311 (toll free; option 0)
Fax: 403-297-7040
Email: InformationRequest@aer.ca
Refer to this notice when requesting information for a faster response.
Requirement to File a Statement of Concern
If you have concerns with these applications, you must file a statement of concern as described below. If you do not file a statement of concern, the AER may approve the applications without further notification.
How to File a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must be filed by 11:59 p.m. on the filing date below. Send one copy of your statement of concern to Canadian Natural Resources Limited at the name and address above and one copy either online via the AER’s web-based form or by mail or email:
Mail or email:
Regulatory Applications
Alberta Energy Regulator
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Fax: 403-297-7336
Email: SOC@aer.ca
Final Date to File a statement of concern: October 6, 2025
Contents of a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must include
- why you believe you may be directly and adversely affected by a decision of the AER on the applications;
- the nature of your objection to the applications;
- the outcome of the applications you advocate;
- the location of your land, residence, or activity in relation to the location of the energy resource that is the subject of the applications; and
- your contact information, including your name, address in Alberta, telephone number, and email address or, if you do not have an email address, your fax number.
The AER also requests that you include the application numbers in your statement of concern.
Confidentiality
Section 49 of the Alberta Energy Regulator Rules of Practice (Rules of Practice) requires that all documents and information filed in a proceeding be placed on the public record. If you file a submission, you must not include any personal information that you do not want to appear on or are not authorized to put on the public record. Section 49(2) of the Rules of Practice states how to apply to the AER for an order to keep information confidential. The Rules of Practice is available on the AER website at www.aer.ca.
Jurisdiction
Submissions relating exclusively to compensation for land use are not dealt with by the AER and should be referred to the Land and Property Rights Tribunal (formerly the Surface Rights Board).
Under section 21 of the Responsible Energy Development Act, the AER does not have the jurisdiction to assess the adequacy of Crown consultation associated with the rights of aboriginal peoples as recognized and affirmed under the Constitution Act, 1982.
For information on AER procedures, contact the regulatory applications specialist, Renato Chiarella, by phone at 780-642-9104 or by email to Renato.Chiarella@aer.ca.
Issued at Calgary, Alberta, on September 4, 2025.
ALBERTA ENERGY REGULATOR
