These articles by our expert team cover the details of various decisions made by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), Alberta Utilities Commision (AUC), and Canada Energy Regulator (CER). Browse our searchable archive below to learn more about the results we’ve achieved for our clients.
Link to Bulletin Summarized Oil and Gas - Applications The AER released a new edition of Directive 065: Resources Applications for Oil and Gas Reservoirs (“Directive 065”). The new edition includes references to the Geothermal Resource Developments Rules and the...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - MarketsMinisterial Order 043/2023 directed the AER to develop and implement a process that ensures that applicants for a well licence or well licence transfer do not have unpaid municipal taxes above a threshold yet to be...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedFiling Requirements - ConsolidationThe AER released new editions of Directive 059: Well Drilling and Completion Data Filing Requirements (“Directive 059”) and its companion Manual 027: Well Drilling and Completion Data Submission System...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - Wildfire PreventionThe wildfire season in Alberta spans from March 1 to October 31. Most oil and gas industry-related fires in Alberta occur between April and June. The AER reminded licensees that the risk of brush/grass fires...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - Resource DevelopmentThe AER released new functionality and enhancements to its OneStop platform.Form SubmissionsA “Forms” tab was added to OneStop. The tab will be accessible on the landing page as an entry point for general...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - Energy DevelopmentThe AER released Directive 090: Brine-Hosted Mineral Resource Development (“Directive 090”) to complete the regulatory framework for brine-hosted mineral resource development. Directive 090 will come into...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - LicencesThe AER updated its licensee capability assessment (“LCA”) and the underlying technology as announced in Bulletin 2023-04: New Editions of Directive 088 and Manual 023. The updates include:Parameters that use...
Link to Decision SummarizedNatural Gas - FacilitiesApplicationARC Resources Ltd. (“ARC”) operates the 15-megawatt (“MW”) Cutbank Sour Gas Multiwell Battery (the “Cutbank Battery”), located approximately 64 kilometres south of Grande Prairie.ARC sought AUC approval to...
Link to Decision SummarizedOil and Gas - LicencesThe AER released a new edition of Directive 088: Licensee Life-Cycle Management (“Directive 088”) and Manual 023: Licensee Life-Cycle Management (“Manual 023”).S 4.2 of Directive 088 now includes requirements for the...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedGeothermal Development - Emergency Response PlansThe AER released a new edition of Directive 071: Emergency Preparedness and Response (“Directive 071”) and created accompanying Manual 026: Emergency Preparedness and Response Guide (“Manual...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedGas - FacilitiesThe AER instituted a new submission process for new well base maximum rate limitations applications. As of February 6, 2023, applications must be submitted using the web form available on the AER’s website because email...
Link to Process SummarizedOil and Gas - Exemption ApplicationsThe CER established a new process and template for public participation in applications filed under s 214 of the Canadian Energy Regulatory Act (“CER Act”). The changes were based on the CER’s commitment to...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - FacilitiesThe AER sought feedback on updates to Directive 001: Requirements for Site-Specific Liability Assessment (the “Directive”). In the updates, the AER:Removed irrelevant or duplicative information, updated the references...
Link to Decision SummarizedGas - RatesApplicationIn this decision, the AUC considered whether ATCO Gas complied with all directions issued in Decision 26616-D01-20221 and reviewed ATCO Gas’s resulting 2023 distribution rates.DecisionThe AUC determined that ATCO Gas...
Link to Decision SummarizedGas - RatesApplicationATCO Gas, a division of ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (“ATCO Gas”), filed an application with the AUC requesting approval of an update of its 2023 transmission service charge rider (“Rider T”) rates for 2023, effective...
Link to Decision SummarizedFacilities - ElectricityApplicationHammerhead Resources Inc. (“Hammerhead”) owns and operates three oil battery facilities and an associated water storage facility (the “Facilities”) in the Gold Creek area, southeast of the city of Grande...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedApplications - Closure PlanThe AER proposed updates to Directive 088: Licensee Lifecycle Management (“Directive”) to support the Government of Alberta’s new Liability Management Framework and the rule changes announced in Bulletin 2020-26....
Link to Decision SummarizedGas - Municipal Franchise FeeApplicationATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (“AGP”) applied for approval to establish a natural gas franchise agreement (the “Agreement”) with Red Deer County for the Hamlet of Springbrook. Under the Agreement, AGP...
Link to Decision SummarizedFacilities - Oil and GasApplicationPure Environmental Waste Management Ltd. (“Pure”) operates the Hangingstone oilfield waste management project located about 25 kilometres (“km”) south of Fort McMurray in the Regional Municipality of Wood...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - Resources ApplicationsOn October 19, 2022, the AER released a new edition of Directive 065: Resources Applications for Oil and Gas Reservoirs (“Directive 065”). Sections of Directive 065 have been amended to reflect current...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas Facilities – Water ConservationOn October 11, 2022, the AER released Manual 025: Applications Under the Water Conservation Policy for Upstream Oil and Gas Operations. The purpose of this manual is to assist operators in applying...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedSecurity DepositsOn October 3, 2022, the AER released a new edition of Directive 068: Security Deposits (“Directive 068”). The new edition includes administrative updates that reflect the shift from the Energy Resources Compensation Board to...
Link to Decision SummarizedFacilities – Amendment Order – Discontinuation of ReviewApplicationIn a previous decision, the CER found Kingston Midstream Westspur Limited (“Kingston”) to be in breach of common carrier obligations. Kingston was ordered to provide new...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBrine-Hosted Mineral ResourcesThe AER sought feedback on a new Draft Directive: Brine-Hosted Mineral Resource Development. The draft directive is proposed in response to Bill 82: Mineral Resource Development Act, which provides the AER with...
Link to Decision SummarizedGas - RatesApplicationATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (“ATCO Gas”) filed an application with the AUC requesting approval of its 2022-2023 unaccounted-for gas (“UFG”) Rider D and Rider P, effective November 1, 2022. ATCO Gas calculated Rider D to...
Link to Decision SummarizedApproval - Sale of Land ParcelApplicationATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (“AGPL”) filed an application with the AUC requesting the AUC to either approve the disposition of a parcel of land under s. 26 of the Gas Utilities Act or confirm that s....
Link to Decision SummarizedGas - RatesApplicationApex Utilities Inc. (“Apex”) applied for approval of its 2022-2023 unaccounted-for gas (“UFG”) Rider E and Rider H, effective November 1, 2022. Apex calculated Rider E to increase from the currently approved value of...
Link to Report SummarizedHydrogenThe Government of Alberta issued an Order-in-Council 70/2022 directing the AUC to inquire into and report to the Minister of Energy on matters relating to hydrogen blending into natural gas distribution systems. The Hydrogen Inquiry...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedDrilling Waste InspectionsOn September 6, 2022, the AER released a new Manual 002: Drilling Waste Inspections (“Manual 002”), replacing the 2012 edition. Manual 2 is divided into six sections: Notification and Approvals; Storage; Cement...
Link to Decision SummarizedFacilities – Oil Pipeline - Depreciation Calculation – Future Capital ExpenditureApplicationOn 27 April 2020, the CER issued a Letter Decision and Toll Order approving Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC (“Trans Mountain”)’s application for approval...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedFacility and Well Site InspectionsOn August 16, 2022, the AER released a new edition of Manual 001: Facility and Well Site Inspections (“Manual 001”), replacing the 2010 edition. Manual 001 is a reference document for AER staff conducting...
Link to Decision SummarizedSection 26 Gas Utilities Act – No-harm TestApplicationA newly formed, indirect, wholly-owned American organized subsidiary of TriSummit Utilities Inc. (“TSU”), Alaska Utility Holdings Inc., entered into an agreement to purchase utility...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedGeothermal ResourcesThe Geothermal Resource Development Act provides the AER with the authority to regulate the safe, efficient, and responsible development of Alberta’s geothermal resources. The Geothermal Resource Development Rules (the...
Link to Decision SummarizedGas Facilities- Deferral Account DispositionApplicationsThis decision considers two applications by ATCO Pipelines (“AP”), a division of ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd.In the first application, AP proposed to settle its Salt Cavern working gas...
Link to Decision SummarizedGas - RatesApplicationIn Decision 2014-268, the AUC approved ATCO Gas, a division of ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd.’s load balancing methodology for a single province-wide load balancing deferral account (“LBDA”). Load balancing is part of the...
Link to Decision SummarizedGas - FacilitiesApplicationATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (“AGP”) applied for permission to install approximately 9.4 km of new 219.1-millimeter natural gas pipeline in Lethbridge County, to replace a section of the existing Lethbridge East...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - FacilitiesThe AER requested feedback on updates to Directive 077: Pipelines – Requirements and Reference Tools. The draft directive is available on the AER website.The main proposed changes to Directive 077 are:the inclusion of...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - FacilitiesUnder the Government of Alberta’s new Liability Management Framework, the AER has implemented an Inventory Reduction Program (described in Directive 088: Licensee Life-Cycle Management), which involves setting...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and GasThe AER announced that it is seeking feedback on the proposed updates to Directive 023: Oil Sands Project Applications. In the changes to the draft, the AER:removed duplicate requirements in other directives (e.g., Directive 085:...
Link to Decision SummarizedOil and GasApplicationIn this decision, the CER issued a 25-year licence to export butane to AltaGas LPG Limited Partnership (“AltaGas”) pursuant to s. 344 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act (“CER Act”).DecisionThe CER recognized that not...
Link to Decision SummarizedFacilities - Industrial System DesignationApplicationChina National Offshore Oil Corporation (“CNOOC”) Petroleum North America ULC (“CPNA”) and CNOOC Canada Energy Ltd. hold Order 25113-D02-2020,1 designating the Long Lake Project Industrial...
Link to Decision SummarizedOil and Gas - FacilitiesApplicationOn July 18, 2019, the AER approved a reclamation certificate application from Whitecap Resources Inc. (“Whitecap”). Reclamation Certificate 382273 (the “Reclamation Certificate”) was consequently issued....
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - RulesWith this bulletin, the AER announced the release of a new edition of AER Manual 005: Pipeline Inspections.In the new edition of Manual 005, the AER:(a) added non-compliance statements to reflect...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - LandThe AER announced that as of June 16, 2022, the OneStop platform would include new functionality and enhancements.Public Lands Act WaiversEffective June 16, 2022, disposition holders must submit Public Lands Act (“PLA”)...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - RulesOn June 1, 2022, the AER released a corrected edition of Directive 050: Drilling Waste Management. The correction restores requirements that the AER inadvertently removed from the edition released on March 28, 2022. The...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - LawThe AER issued Bulletin 2022-018 seeking feedback on the proposed updates to Directive 065: Applications for Oil and Gas Reservoirs. Directive 065.The proposed changes aim to clarify the application requirements for CO2...
Link to Decision SummarizedOil and Gas - Regulatory AppealIn this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”) approved the application from Fort McMurray Métis Local Council 1935 (“Fort McMurray Métis”) who sought permission to appeal a decision by the AER that...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedFlood Awareness - Risk MitigationOn April 27, 2022, the AER issued Bulletin 2022-16, stating that the Rocky Mountain snowmelt occurs each year between April and June, which, combined with rainfall from large weather systems that occurs in...
Link to Bulletin Summarized Regulatory Requirements - Well Abandonment On April 25, 2022, the AER released a new edition of Directive 020: Well Abandonment. Regulatory requirements unique to this directive have been numbered. The following sections were clarified:...
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - Orphan WellsIn accordance with Part 11 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act and Directive 024: Large Facility Liability Management Program (LFP), the AER is prescribing an LFP orphan fund levy of $6 million for the 2022/23...