Introduction

Proponent

Shell Canada Products

Location

Township of St. Clair

Type

Other

Reference Number

07004

Contact

Environmental Approvals Branch, 416-314-8001
Toll free 1-800-461-6290

Current status

Terms of reference: approved, June 27, 2007

The proponent announced on July 8, 2008 that project would not proceed.

Project Summary

The purpose of the undertaking is to construct a new oil refinery in the Township of St. Clair, which will process heavy crude oil from Alberta.

Project History

  • Terms of reference: approved
    • Date Submitted:  May 4, 2007
    • Expiry of Public Comment Period:  June 3, 2007
    • Decision Date: June 27, 2007
  • Designation: granted
    • Date Submitted:  March 7, 2007
    • Decision Date: March 7, 2007

Terms of Reference

Summary

Shell Canada Products (Shell) is proposing to construct a new oil refinery in the Township of St. Clair, which will process heavy crude oil from Alberta. The facility will be located one km east of the St. Clair River, approximately 20 km downstream of Shell’s existing refinery. This new facility’s operations will be integrated with Shell’s existing oil refinery. In addition to the refinery operations, the proposed project may include:

  • a dock on the St. Clair River;
  • new pipeline infrastructure;
  • a co-generation electricity unit;
  • a gasifier to convert petroleum coke into synthetic gas;
  • storage of crude oil in brine caverns; and
  • roadway/highway/railway improvements.

As a private sector undertaking, the proposed project was not subject to the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. However, on March 7, 2007, Shell entered into a voluntary agreement with the Ministry of the Environment to make the proposed project subject to the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. Shell will prepare an individual environmental assessment for review and approval by the Minister. The first step in the environmental assessment process is the preparation of a Terms of Reference for ministerial review and approval.

The Terms of Reference describes the proposed undertaking; identifies the potential alternative methods of implementing the undertaking; describes the environment potentially affected, outlines the assessment and evaluation methodology; describes the consultation planned for the EA; commits to a monitoring strategy; and discusses other potential approvals required. The potential effects and recommended mitigation measures will be described in detail in the EA.

Shell submitted its Terms of Reference to the ministry on April 30, 2007. The public comment period began on May 4, 2007 and ended on June 3, 2007.

The ToR was approved on June 27, 2007.

Designation (Voluntary Agreement)

Summary

As a private sector undertaking, the proposed project is not subject to the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. However, on March 7, 2007, Shell entered into a voluntary agreement with the Minister of the Environment to make the proposed project subject to the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. Shell will prepare an individual environmental assessment for review and approval by the Minister.