The head of Royal Dutch Shell PLC’s Canadian unit Wednesday said the company may not be able to meet promised targets for reducing toxic wastes from oil sands and called for greater regulatory flexibility. Shell, which operates two major oil-sands surface mines in northern Alberta, had committed to cutting the amount of waste generated by its heavy-oil extraction projects in Canada. But the company and other producers have struggled to meet reduction targets mandated by the government and now face the prospect of penalties if those goals remain unmet. “It’s going to be very challenging” to achieve mandated reduction targets next year, said Lorraine Mitchelmore, president of Shell Canada Ltd. Growth in natural gas and oil sands is a core focus for the energy company, she said, adding the company is committed to its operations in Canada as a “multi-decade opportunity.” Ms. Mitchelmore said Shell hopes to link inland […]