Wells could reopen

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Norcen Energy wants to reopen 18 shut-in wells it operates and partly owns in the area claimed by the Lubicon Lake band near Little Buffalo. "It is essential we get them going again for our cash flow to be reinvested," said Norcen spokesman Ian Seph. Norcen me recently with the band and hopes for a further meeting soon to determine the status of the band's land-claim negotiations with an eye to reopening the wells, Seph said. The company has lost $1.5 million in revenue since it voluntarily shut down wells it owns along with Petro-Canada Nov. 30, he said. Band spokesman Fred Lennarson said negotiations between the province and the Lubicon band could lead to reopening 18 wells. Chief Bernard Ominayak "is leaving open that possibility," said Lennarson. The wells were shut down to pressure the federal government to settle the long-standing claim.