Oil and Gas – Wells
On February 28, 2022, the AER amended subsurface orders 1B, 3A, 4, and 5 to align with changes to its regulatory framework for oil and gas well testing (Bulletin 2021-34), coalbed methane control well requirements (Bulletin 2021-29), and well spacing requirements (Bulletin 2021-14).
The AER uses subsurface orders to adapt the regulatory requirements for specific geological zones over specific geographic areas to best suit energy resource development in those areas. However, recent changes to Directive 040: Pressure and Deliverability Testing Oil and Gas Wells, Directive 065: Resource Applications for Oil and Gas Reservoirs, and the recission of Directive 062: Coalbed Methane (CBM) Control Well Requirements and Related Matters has eliminated the need for some of the exemptions granted in previous versions of the subsurface orders.
The amended subsurface orders have been renumbered as 1C, 3B, 4A, and 5A.
