Project pathway

Imperial will be safely winding down the long-running Norman Wells operation, which has reached the end of its productive life after nearly a century. Time required for closure planning, remediation and reclamation is anticipated to take 20 years.

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What is the IC&M phase?

Norman Wells operation is entering a planned transition as production winds down in 2026, with a strong focus on safety and environmental protection. Production will end in Q3 2026, followed by decommissioning and early abandonment work, before moving into an interim care and maintenance (IC&M) phase lasting approximately three to five years. A small team will remain on-site for monitoring, well management, and regulatory activities ahead of full closure and reclamation.

What is the closure phase?

Closure refers to the process of safely winding down Imperial’s long‑running Norman Wells operation, which has reached the end of its productive life after nearly a century. This phase involves shutting in production, securing and suspending wells, cleaning and preparing facilities, and carrying out environmental monitoring to ensure the site is stable and safe. Closure also includes assessing and addressing historical impacts. This includes removing or treating contaminated soils, protecting water and aquatic ecosystems, and restoring disturbed areas so they can support natural ecosystems and traditional land use. Ultimately, closure leads to full abandonment, where wells are permanently sealed, infrastructure is removed or made safe, and the land is reclaimed in collaboration with Sahtú communities to reflect local values and support future generations.

Operation

Imperial’s operations in Norman Wells date back to the 1920s, making it one of the longest-operating oil developments in Canada. Situated along the Mackenzie River, the field has supplied fuel for northern communities, military efforts, and commercial markets for generations. Key activities include maintaining operations integrity.

Cessation of production

The Norman Wells Operation has come to the end of its life and will be shutting in production.

Decommissioning

Safely clean, secure, and prepare all facilities for the next phase. Project activities will include ongoing environmental monitoring and assessment, well suspension, and early stage well abandonment to seal and secure wells, installing plugs and barriers for long-term stability, prior to final closure and reclamation.

Interim care

• March 23 Norman Wells Closure Working Group meeting - the groups represented on the Closure Working Group are the Town of NW, TGG, GNWT, CanNor, CIRNAC, Imperial – we will have to confirm if we are posting content from this group’s meetings.
As part of the shut-in process, well suspensions and early-stage abandonment activities will take place to bring the site into a safe state, in preparation for future closure activities.

Remediation

Imperial will begin the process of cleaning up and restoring lands and waters affected by past oil and gas activities so they are safe, stable, and aligned with future community use. For Imperial, this means assessing contamination, removing or treating impacted soils and materials, protecting water and aquatic ecosystems, and working with Sahtu communities to ensure the land is returned in a way that reflects local priorities, knowledge, and long-term stewardship.

Reclamation

Imperial will restore the land after industrial use so it can support natural ecosystems and traditional land uses again. For Imperial, this includes recontouring disturbed areas, re-establishing vegetation, stabilizing soils, and working with Sahtu communities to ensure the land reflects local values, supports wildlife, and can be used by future generations.

Full abandonment

Full abandonment refers to the final stage of closure where wells are permanently sealed, and infrastructure is removed or made safe. For Imperial, this means completing all regulatory requirements, ensuring long-term environmental protection, and transitioning the site fully so it can be restored for future generations.