The end of an era at Norman Wells

Production has been safely shut in at Imperial's Norman Wells Operations, bringing 106 years of production to a close.

Norman Wells is one of the most historically significant oil-producing regions in Canada. Long before commercial development began, Indigenous peoples in the Sahtú region were familiar with naturally occurring oil seepages along the Mackenzie River.

In August 1920, Imperial drilled Discovery Well No. 1, laying the foundation for what would become one of Canada's longest-producing oil fields. The operation gained strategic importance during the Second World War through the Canol Project, a joint initiative between Canada and the United States to support military operations in the North Pacific.

A major new chapter began in the 1980s when advances in drilling and production technology enabled access to reserves beneath the Mackenzie River through the construction of artificial islands, helping extend the field's productive life for decades.

While the end of production marks the close of an extraordinary chapter, it also signals the beginning of the next phase. Following deactivation and decommissioning, the site is expected to transition to an Interim Care and Maintenance period in 2027, pending regulatory approvals. This phase is anticipated to last several years while plans for closure and reclamation continue to advance.

Significant engagement activities are underway with Indigenous communities and regional stakeholders to help shape this next chapter together. Additional information about Norman Wells Transition to Closure is available on the project website.