* Water restrictions on oilsands water use a preview of climate change challenges

EDMONTON - New research suggests that this week's restrictions on withdrawing water from the Athabasca River for oilsands use are a preview of what the industry will face under climate change.

Alberta's energy regulator has suspended a total of 73 temporary industry licences to take water from the Athabasca because of low flows.

A recent paper published in the journal Climate Change suggests such disruptions will become more common and increase by up to 40 per cent by mid-century.

Paper co-author Simon Donner of the University of British Columbia says unless solutions are found, water shortages will result in billions of dollars in lost production.