Bulletin – Directive 036
The AER announced updates to the requirements related to testing of drilling equipment under Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (“Directive 36”). Updates included changes to section 7, and the addition of a new addendum to Directive 36 for testing blowout prevention equipment for class II, III, and IV wells. The AER noted that while the revisions are intended to provide regulatory flexibility, the balance of Directive 36 remains unchanged, and failure to follow the pressure testing methods set out in Directive 36 will result in enforcement action. The AER summarized the extent of the changes as follows:
(a) Licensees will no longer be required to apply for a pressure testing waiver if they follow the alternative pressure testing requirements;
(b) The alternative pressure testing method can be used for class II, III, and IV wells when an intermediate casing string will be set in the well; and
(c) The alternative pressure testing requirements do not apply to class V and VI wells, critical sour wells, and sour gas wells with an approved site-specific emergency response plan.
