Hydraulic Fracturing
On May 2, 2019, the AER released Subsurface Order No. 6, which established new monitoring, reporting, and setback requirements to manage the potential hazard of induced seismicity from hydraulic fracturing near the Brazeau Reservoir, Alberta.
The order prohibits hydraulic fracturing operations within five kilometres of the Brazeau dam infrastructure if operations are targeting the Duvernay Formation or below it. It also prohibits hydraulic fracturing within three kilometres of the Brazeau dam infrastructure if operations are targeting formations above the Duvernay Formation.
The order also established a mandatory traffic light protocol for hydraulic fracturing operations in the formations above the Duvernay within five kilometres from the Brazeau dam. Under the traffic light protocol, licensees must implement seismic monitoring and response procedures to manage the hazard of induced seismicity before, during, and after any hydraulic fracturing activity. Any seismic events greater than 1.0 ML must be reported and mitigated. If an event 2.5 ML or greater is detected, the fracturing operations must cease until authorized by the AER to restart.
The AER will continue to evaluate the risk of induced seismicity in the region to ensure that the Brazeau dam setback distances are protective of Albertans.
