Spartan Energy, specifically referring to Spartan Delta Corp., is actively operating in the Medicine River Watershed in Alberta, Canada. This region, part of the broader Red Deer River Watershed, has been a focus of concern due to water usage for oil and gas activities, including hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Below is a detailed overview of Spartan Delta Corp.'s operations in this area based on the provided information.
Operations in the Medicine River Watershed
Spartan Delta Corp., a Calgary-based energy company committed to sustainability in operations and financial performance, is involved in oil and gas exploration and development within the Medicine River and Blindman River sub-basins 27. These sub-basins, located upstream of the city of Red Deer, are critical for downstream water provision and groundwater recharge 4. The company has been noted for extracting water from sources in this watershed for fracking purposes, often in collaboration with other operators like Baytex Energy and Clearview Resources Ltd. 4.
Specific concerns have been raised about water diversion from local sources, such as a gravel pit at SW 7-44-1-W5 in Ponoka County, where water from Lloyd Creek is being redirected, leading to significantly low water levels in the creek 4. Spartan Delta Corp. is also actively monitoring groundwater wells around the Leedale source-water-body in the region, with reports indicating that drawdown affects at least one well. While this monitoring is currently voluntary, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has incorporated continued monitoring of select wells into recent Temporary Diversion Licence (TDL) conditions to ensure oversight 5.
Regulatory and Community Context
The AER conducted 24 water licence inspections in the Medicine River and Blindman River watersheds in 2024, reporting a 96% compliance rate with diversion rate conditions based on recorded or measured flow 5. Licences issued by the AER specify withdrawal rates, timing, total allowable volume, and water levels at which pumping must cease to protect existing users and the environment 4. Despite these measures, local farmers and community members have expressed concerns about the large volumes of water being withdrawn for industrial use, especially amidst ongoing drought conditions 7.
Public information sessions hosted by the Medicine River Watershed Society in April 2025 highlighted these issues, with discussions focusing on the impact of oil and gas industry water withdrawals on the watershed. Todd Aasen, Water License Approval Manager for Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, addressed questions regarding licensed withdrawals for fracking in the region 7.
Additional Operational Details
While Spartan Delta Corp.'s primary focus in recent updates has been on its Duvernay acreage in the West Shale Basin, with significant growth in oil and liquids production (averaging 38,523 BOE/d in Q4 2024, 35% liquids), the company continues to operate in the Deep Basin and other areas like the Medicine River Watershed 6. The company’s water infrastructure projects, such as the completion of two water reservoirs in the Duvernay, demonstrate efforts to manage water resources efficiently, though specific reservoir projects in the Medicine River Watershed are not detailed in the provided data 18.
Additionally, Spartan Delta Corp. has been noted for using agricultural-exempt water from dugouts in the region to meet volume requirements, though there have been criticisms regarding the lack of mandatory disclosure to landowners about the need for water licences if they sell their water for industrial use 5.
Summary
Spartan Delta Corp. is confirmed to be operating in the Medicine River Watershed, engaging in water extraction for oil and gas activities, particularly fracking. Their operations are subject to regulatory oversight by the AER, with conditions aimed at balancing industrial needs with environmental and community water requirements. However, local concerns persist regarding the sustainability of water usage in the face of drought and the potential impact on agricultural and downstream users.
Citations:
- https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/spartan-delta-corp-announces-first-quarter-2025-results-861105213.html
- https://www.spartandeltacorp.com
- https://horse-chimes-5sf9.squarespace.com/s/2024-05-07-Spartan-Delta-Investor-Presentation_FINAL-9kzr.pdf
- https://blindmanriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Water-Policy-Letter-from-Friends-of-the-Blindman.pdf
- https://blindmanriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Follow-up-Questions-for-the-AER-Final-Feb-18-2025-1.pdf
- https://boereport.com/2025/01/06/spartan-delta-corp-announces-operations-update/
- https://rdrwa.ca/2025/04/15/medicine-river-blindman-river-update-sessions/
- https://nationtalk.ca/story/spartan-delta-corp-announces-first-quarter-2025
- https://www.journeyenergy.ca/prelease/208693/
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