Project Eider Rock
Irving Oil’s proposed Project Eider Rock would
see development of a new petroleum refinery in
Saint John, New Brunswick that could process
up to 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
This is a significant oppor-
tunity to create
long-term economic benefits for the region and,
specifically for the province of New Brunswick.
It would capitalize on North America’s need for
clean fuels and build on Irving Oil’s history of
serving customers in Atlantic Canada and the
northeastern United States.
Why New Brunswick?
New Brunswick is well positioned to meet
the growing market demand for clean fuels.
Saint John, N.B. has the opportunity to further
its development as a prosperous and sustainable
centre for energy-related activities, the
“energy hub” for northeastern North America.
Why now?
North America has a shortage of refining
capacity, especially for the clean fuels
demanded by environmentally aware consumers.
The last new refinery was built in North
America in 1984, and although expansion
programs have increased the capacity of
existing refineries, the added supply has not
kept up with the increased demand.
We believe there is already demand for an
additional 150,000 to 300,000 barrels per
day in the eastern Canadian and the
northeastern U.S. markets.
Why Irving?
We’re close to the
market, have a safe and secure location, and
are already established as a reliable and
consistent supplier of clean fuels.
What's in a name?
The proposed second refinery project has been
named “Project Eider Rock,” after a hardy
marine duck native to the northeastern region of
North America. Unlike most ducks, the Eider
does not migrate each season. Eiders remain at
home, near the sea, living together in close-knit
communities. The Rock represents our
community’s strength, permanence, and a solid
foundation on which to grow together.
BP Joins Irving Oil in Proposed Eider Rock Refinery Project
International oil major BP and regional refiner and marketer Irving Oil have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on the next phase of engineering, design, and feasibility for the proposed Eider Rock refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada (read more).
Public Consultation
We hosted our second Open House on December 7, 2007. The Open House provided further information on the Project's Draft Terms of Reference, or how the various environmental components of the study area, such as waterways, wetlands and air quality, are being examined as part of the federal and provincial governments' environmental assessment processes.
A full-day workshop was also held January 12, 2008. It was hosted by Jacques Whitford, an independent environmental engineering firm, to provide more detail on the methodologies for completing the environmental assessment on various valued environmental components such as Air Quality, Biological Environment, Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment, and Socio-economic studies.
The public comment period on the Project Eider Rock Draft Terms of Reference document concluded on January 30, 2008. Based on the comments received, a Public Consultation Document is being completed and submitted to government over the next few weeks. The Public Consultation Document will outline the public feedback collected and how this feedback will be addressed in the Project's Environmental Impact Statement.
Additional public events and information sessions will be held throughout the environmental assessment process. Stay tuned for more details.
Provincial Environmental Impact Assessment Final Guidelines
On June 4, 2007 the New Brunswick Department of Environment released the final guidelines for its Environmental Impact Assessment process. To view these final guidelines, please follow this link.
Federal Environmental Assessment Track Report
The federal government, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and Transport Canada, released its Environmental Assessment Track Report on November 21, 2007. The Report outlines the final federal scope for the Project: the factors and the scope of the factors that will be considered in the environmental assessment and opportunities for public participation. To view the Environmental Assessment Track Report, please follow this link.
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