Cenovus Energy : Update: Forest fire on Cold Lake Air Weapons Range; Cenovus Foster Creek operation evacuated as a precaution

May 23, 2015, 12:30 p.m.

In response to a forest fire on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR) in northeastern Alberta, Cenovus has taken the proactive step to send home all staff working at its Foster Creek and Athabasca Gas operations and is shutting down the facilities. This is being done as a safety precaution. The only access road to our operations, Ken Baker Road, was closed shortly before noon due to the fire. There is currently no risk to our facilities or our staff. The fire continues to move in a direction away from Foster Creek and remains about 30 kilometres to the south of the facilities.

Cenovus's emergency response plan has been activated to ensure the safety of all staff. About 1,700 workers were sent home early this morning by buses and personal vehicles. About 125 staff who remained at site are now preparing to leave by helicopter. They are in the process of shutting down the facilities in a safe manner. The length of time the operations will remain shut down will depend upon the status of the fire.

Cenovus has been working with the Department of National Defence at CLAWR and other government agencies to ensure the evacuations are being performed in a safe and orderly manner.

We will release further information as it becomes available or you can contact Cenovus Media Relations at 403-766-7751.

May 23, 2015, 6:45 a.m.

In response to a forest fire on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR) in northeastern Alberta, Cenovus has taken the proactive step to send home all but essential staff working at its Foster Creek operation. This is being done as a safety precaution. The fire remains about 30 kilometres south of Foster Creek and currently the biggest risk is that it may force the closure of the main road to the operation.

Cenovus's emergency response plan has been activated to ensure the safety of all staff. About 1,700 workers have now left Foster Creek using a combination of buses and staff personal vehicles. Cenovus has been working with the Department of National Defence at CLAWR to ensure the evacuation is performed in an orderly manner and all staff are being accounted for as they leave the area. Those staff without personal vehicles are being taken to the Centennial Centre in Bonnyville while Cenovus coordinates transportation home for them.

Foster Creek remains operational at this time with about 100 essential staff members to maintain safe operations. Plans are in place to remove those workers from the site as well if the threat of the fire increases. We are not aware of any impact caused by the fire to Cenovus infrastructure.

We will release further information as it becomes available or you can contact Cenovus Media Relations at 403-766-7751.