6-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of February 2005

Commission File Number 333-111396

NORTH AMERICAN ENERGY PARTNERS INC.

Zone 3 Acheson Industrial Area

2-53016 Highway 60

Acheson, Alberta

Canada T7X 5A7

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F      X            Form 40-F              

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):             

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):             

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes                      No      X    

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):                     .

On February 16, 2005, North American Energy Partners Inc. issued a press release, a copy of which is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

NORTH AMERICAN ENERGY PARTNERS INC.
By:	/s/ Vincent Gallant
	Vincent Gallant
	Vice President, Finance

Date: February 16, 2005

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release of North American Energy Partners Inc., dated February 16, 2005.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: February 16, 2005

North American Energy Partners Inc. executes Overburden Removal contract with Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Acheson, Alberta – North American Energy Partners Inc. (“NAEPI”) through its affiliate Noramac Ventures Inc. (“Noramac”), is pleased to announce that it has executed a contract with Canadian Natural Resources Limited (“Canadian Natural”) for the provision of overburden removal services on Canadian Natural’s Horizon Oil Sands Project located in the Fort McMurray region of northern Alberta.

Under the terms of the contract, NAEPI will perform overburden removal services at the Horizon Oil Sands site with work expected to begin in July, 2005. The scope of services includes the removal of approximately 400 million cubic meters of overburden over a ten year period, the construction of the tailings dyke and all necessary haul roads.

“North American Energy Partners Inc. is very pleased with this announcement and are excited to begin putting our expertise and experience in oil sands mining and construction to work for Canadian Natural”, reported Gordon Parchewsky, the President of NAEPI.

North American Energy Partners is also currently providing site preparation services for Canadian Natural at the Horizon Oil Sands Project under a separate contract.

NAEPI is one of the largest providers of mining and site preparation, piling and pipeline installation services in western Canada.

For more information, contact:

Bernie Robert

Assistant Treasurer, North American Energy Partners Inc.

(780) 960 – 2266

brobert@nacg.ca

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements as a result of any number of factors and uncertainties, many of which factors may be beyond our control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements herein are enumerated in NAEPI’s registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Undue reliance should not be placed upon forward-looking statements and we undertake no obligation to update those statements.