Royal Dutch Shell plans to more than double its extraction of oil in Canada’s Athabasca oil fields, an area billed as the nation’s most important region for extraction of petroleum. But First Nations people living in the midst of the destruction are crying foul, claiming the increased development will lead to more oil spills in the heart of their land.
“Shell has been unaccountable and unresponsive for recent spills in our community,” Aamjiwnaang First Nations community member Vanessa Grey said in a press release. “We live surrounded by 63 petro-chemical operators in a 50 (kilometer) radius. Our health, culture and rights are severely impacted already and we do not support tar sands refining or pipelines in our community. We have our future generations to protect.”
Representatives of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Alaska’s Native Village of Point Hope hopped the pond this week to confront Royal Dutch Shell directly at its annual general meeting.
The confrontation follows a 2012 constitutional challenge launched by the Athabasca Chipewyan against Shell. The challenge accused the government and oil company of treaty violations though Shell’s alleged degradation of land protected through Treaty 8, which gave the indigenous population the right to use the traditional land and their resources.
Shell spokesperson David Williams told The Globe and Mail the company is aware of First Nation concerns, claiming Shell has not ignored dissenting voices.
“Shell has engaged extensively with ACFN over the last 15 years,” he told the news agency. “We’re aware of their concerns around Treaty 8, and our door remains open.”
Yet the indigenous population is crying foul, claiming the company has been unwilling to meet with First Nations representatives, while at the same time ignoring spills and environmental contamination that threatens fishing, hunting, trapping and harvesting on tribal land.
“The communities here have been bullied — by industry, a pro-industry provincial government and a pro-industry federal government — to just shut up and take what we can get out of a deal,” ACFN Communications Coordinator Eriel Deranger told Indian Country Today.
Expanding in midst of opposition
Shell’s most recent proposals seek widespread access to the Athabasca oil fields.
The Jackpine Mine produces around 100,000 barrels of oil a day. The proposed expansion would double that amount. Having already completed its mandated public review period, approval of the project is expected before June.
The company also has a new Pierre River Mine in the works, one that would be capable of producing 200,000 barrels a day.
According to Shell, its current Athabasca oil sands mines — the Jackpine and Muskeg River mines — are responsible for 17 percent of Canada’s total oil production. Canada ranks third in the world for oil production, behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. The proposed expansions would increase production by 300,000 barrels of oil a day in all.
While Shell is the main shareholder in Athabasca oil field drilling, it operates in partnership with Chevron Canada Limited and Marathon Oil Canada Corporation.
Environmental concerns
But the development comes at a cost. A 50-year study of Athabasca oil sands published this year by Queen’s University indicates environmental degradation, including an increase in toxic contaminants, is eroding the land.
“Given that oil sands development will undoubtedly increase, we are certain that these trends will accelerate, and increased development will likely impact ecosystems farther from the current pollution sources,” Queen’s biology professor John Smol said in a release. “Combined with the effects of climate change and other environmental stressors to aquatic ecosystems, these results are worrying.”
Now Shell is in the process of expanding its operation in the Athabasca oil fields, increasing exports by more than double.
“What are the costs of pushing the industry through?” Deranger said. “We’re talking about doubling production in the tar sands. We’re already having problems with the current pace of development. Doubling it is psychotic.”
Deranger and the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation aren’t just battling the oil industry. With more than 2,300 employees, the economic impact of the oil boom is paying off for families living in the areas, First Nation people included.
“There are First Nations who think the tar sands are great,” Deranger said. “People have jobs. People now can afford to take their kids to Edmonton to go to the dentist. These are luxuries for people. But we have to start weighing the costs.”