The Cenovus Energy building in Lloydminster. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

CENOVUS ENERGY

Cenovus gets approval to expand four Sask. thermal sites as Rush Lake well failure probe continues

Sep 26, 2025 | 3:47 PM

Cenovus Energy says it has received government approval to expand and upgrade four of its thermal oil facilities in Saskatchewan, even as an investigation continues into a well failure at another site.

The Ministry of Energy and Resources has approved projects at the Spruce Lake, Bolney, Sandall and Edam sites.

“These approvals will incorporate technologies, designs and processes to enhance safety and operational integrity,” Cenovus said in a statement sent to battlefordsNOW on Sept. 26.

“Our Saskatchewan thermal operations are an important part of Cenovus’s long-term strategy and an economic generator for the provincial economy.”

The company says the applications were submitted before an incident earlier this year at the Rush Lake 2 site, where a failed well led to a release of steam to the surface. Cenovus says the well is safely under control, and work is progressing on final well isolation and site remediation.

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The company says it continues to work with the ministry under the terms of a ministerial order, with independent third parties set to verify its investigation findings before a final report is filed with government.

In a Sept. 8 update, the ministry said a preliminary review indicated the incident was caused by a casing failure at one well.

Rush Lake operations remain shut in during the probe, which is expected to be completed within about three months.

Cenovus must prepare a root-cause report that will be reviewed and approved by the province.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com