Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Oct 07/05) - Imperial Oil would not be opposed to making critical technical data on the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline public, said a spokesperson for the company.

Deh Cho leaders criticized Imperial last week after the corporation asked to submit so-called frost heave studies to the National Energy Board in confidence.

The research, which comes from an Alaskan firm, examined how underground pipelines shift in half-frozen Northern soils. The confidentiality request would prevent aboriginal groups and the government from examining the studies.

Company spokesperson Pius Rolheiser said Imperial could make the data public down the road.

The research has commercial value and Rolheiser said the company wold like to protect its investment.

The National Energy Board, one of two bodies overseeing the $7-billion pipeline project, has not announced its decision.