Notice of Scheduling of Hearing
Proceeding ID 450
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
North Pit Extension Project
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) will hold a public hearing of Oil Sands Conservation Act application 1909112, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act application 012-00149968, Water Act applications 025-00201931 & 001-00413940, and Public Lands Act application MSL033406 at the Pomeroy Hotel, 10108 Manning Ave, Fort McMurray, Alberta, starting on February 24, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. The hearing will be webcast at https://www.meetview.com/aer2026/.
The AER issued a notice of hearing on February 4, 2025, and received requests to participate in response to that notice. All parties must be present to register at the start of the hearing.
Description of the Applications
Canadian Natural Resources Limited has applied for the following:
- Amendment of Commercial Scheme Approval No. 9752E, pursuant to Section 13 of the Oil Sands Conservation Act (OSCA) for the recovery of bitumen and updates to tailings management,
- Amendment of Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) Approval No. 00149968-01- 00 for the construction, operation, and reclamation of the North Pit Extension (NPE) Project, pursuant to Sections 67(1) and 70(1) of EPEA,
- Amendment of Water Act Approval No. 00201931-01-00 pursuant to Section 42(1)(b) of the Water Act to extend the current fenceline to accommodate dewatering and drainage activities, including the removal of wetlands associated with the NPE Project,
- Approval for a new Water Act licence, pursuant to Section 50(1) of the Water Act for the diversion of groundwater and surface water within the extended Water Act fenceline boundary including the unnamed Athabasca River tributaries, and the catchment areas associated with the Calumet River, Tar River and Pierre River, and
- Amendment to extend the Mineral Surface Lease (MSL033406) pursuant to Section 20 of the Public Lands Act (PLA) for surface rights to occupy the Crown lands associated with the extension of the North Pit and the overburden/interburden storage areas.
The Horizon Oil Sands Mine and Processing Plant (Horizon) is located in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, 70 km north of Fort McMurray and approximately 20 km north of Fort McKay. The extension will be immediately adjacent and east of the existing approved North Pit and west of the Athabasca River. Development will occur in portions of Townships 096 and 097, Ranges 11 and 12, west of the 4th Meridian.
Where can I find information about the applications and the hearing?
All hearing submissions, including the applications filed in relation to proceeding 450 are publicly available and can be found on the AER’s website using the public records system found at https://apps.public.aer.ca/hearing/.
To find out more about AER hearing procedures, see Manual 003: Participant Guide to the Hearing Process or contact the hearing coordinator.
Contacts
Tara Wheaton, Hearing Coordinator
Alberta Energy Regulator
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Email: Hearing.Services@aer.ca
Phone: 403-297-6288
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
2100, 855 - 2 Street S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P 4J8
Attention: Kirsten Pinney
Email: Kirsten.Pinney@cnrl.com
Phone: 403-386-8194
Issued at Calgary, Alberta, on January 28, 2026.
ALBERTA ENERGY REGULATOR
