Canada oil-sands producers, including Suncor Energy, could resume production within a week after the threat subsides from wildfires that cut as much as 40% of the region’s output.

A Limerick doctor working in the Canadian city ravaged by Alberta’s wildfires has told of the devastation caused by the blaze now raging over an area bigger than New York city.

Alberta has declared a state of emergency as crews battle to hold back wildfires that have destroyed 1,600 homes and buildings in Canada’s main oil sands city of Fort McMurray, forcing more than 80,000 people to flee.

Canada’s government has approved China’s biggest overseas energy acquisition, a €11.7bn takeover by state-owned CNOOC of oil and gas producer Nexen.

It’s advertising itself as the fifth-most liveable city in the world, and promises well-paid, secure jobs for hundreds of Irish workers with the right skillset.