Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Directed 023 and 078 Rescinded As part of its contributions towards the Government of Alberta’s initiatives under the Red Tape Reduction Act, the AER will be rescinding obsolete and redundant regulatory requirements. On April 8,...
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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.
AUC Bulletin 2020-13 – Interim Changes to AUC Participation Involvement Program and Related Information Requirements
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin – Participation Involvement Program The AUC is implementing steps to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 to protect its stakeholders, its employees, and its work critical to Alberta's essential utility services. As part of these efforts,...
New Edition of Directive 054, AER Bulletin 2020-08
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Reporting and Surveillance - In Situ Oil Sands Schemes On April 3, 2020, the AER released a new edition of Directive 054: Performance Reporting and Surveillance of In Situ Oil Sands Schemes. This edition focuses on requirements...
COVID-19 Announcements and Bulletins
COVID-19 Updates AUC Defers Live Proceedings to Reduce COVID-19 Risk (AUC Bulletin 2020-06)Link to Bulletin SummarizedOn March 12, 2020, the AUC announced that, as part of its response to COVID-19, the AUC would immediately defer all public hearings, consultations or...
Amendments to AUC Rule 003, AUC Bulletin 2020-09
Link to Bulletin SummarizedAUC Rules On March 23, 2020, the AUC approved amendments to Rule 003: Service Standards for Energy Service Providers, with an effective date of March 23, 2020. The changes reduce reporting requirements to increase efficiency and reduce...
Oil Sands Environmental Monitoring Program Regulation and Regional Monitoring Approval Conditions, AER Bulletin 2020-05
Link to Bulletin SummarizedAER Bulletin The AER requires oil sands operators to conduct and support regional monitoring activities and to participate in regional monitoring programs. When the AER issues approvals under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act...
Process Change When Resuming Drilling Operations After Setting Surface Casing, AER Bulletin 2020-02
Link to Bulletin SummarizedAER Bulletin Previously, licensees who continued their drilling operations more than six months after it was started filed for and received a “resume approval.” There was no operational reason for this approach. The secondary filing and...
AER Administration Fees (Industry Levy), AER Bulletin 2019-31
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Administrative Fees - Industry Levy Energy Regulation ProgramDue to delays in the finalization of the 2019/20 budget, the Government of Alberta approved the AER to issue two sets of administrative fees for 2019. The first set of...
Change to Consent Requirements When Crown Mineral and Disposal Rights Overlap, AER Bulletin 2019-30
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Disposal Schemes - Overlapping Crown Mineral Rights Holders On October 31, 2019, Alberta Energy released Information Letter 2019-37. The AER will no longer require proof of consent from overlapping Crown mineral rights holders for...
Tracking and Manifesting Produced Water, AER Bulletin 2019-29
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Waste Management - Produced Water On November 19, 2018, Alberta Transportation issued Permit 2018-4703 for transporting produced water by truck that has not been cleaned or purged. Due to the overlap with the AER’s tracking and...
Pipeline Integrity Management Programs Must Consider Slope Movement, AER Bulletin 2019-28
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Pipeline Integrity Management A number of factors can increase the instability of slopes, including precipitation. The AER has noted a slight increase in the number of pipeline failures in 2019 resulting from earth movement of...
Amendments to Manual 013: Compliance and Enforcement Program, AER Bulletin 2019-27
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Compliance Assurance The AER released a new edition of Manual 013: Compliance and Enforcement Program. This manual provides details on how the AER administers compliance assurance and guides AER staff in the development and...
New Edition of Directive 081, AER Bulletin 2019-26
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Water Disposal - In Situ Oil Sands The AER released a new edition of Directive 081: Water Disposal Limits and Reporting Requirements for Thermal In Situ Oil Sands Schemes. It consolidates various aspects of water management...
IL 83-02 and ID 96-03 Rescinded, AER Bulletin 2019-25
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin The AER has determined that the following regulatory documents are no longer necessary, and they are now rescinded:IL 83-02Informational Letter 83-02: Annual Reservoir Review for Gas Pools has now been rescinded for the following...
Regulatory Burden Reduction – AUC Roundtable and Next Steps, AUC Bulletin 2019-18
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Regulatory Burden Reduction On October 4, 2019, the AUC held a roundtable with approximately 50 stakeholders to discuss regulatory burden and how future regulatory approaches might reduce or eliminate regulatory requirements.What...
Revised Date for Move of New Well Applications to OneStop, AER Bulletin 2019-24
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Well Applications On October 3, 2019, the AER issued Bulletin 2019-22, announcing that all applications for new well licences would need to be submitted through OneStop as of October 17, 2019. This move was delayed and will now...
New Edition of Manual 011, AER Bulletin 2019-23
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Manual 11 On October 7, 2019, the AER released a new edition of Manual 011: How to Submit Volumetric Data to the AER. Changes were made to the activity codes in appendix 1 and to the wording around acid gas in appendix 9.These...
Directive 056 Updated and New Well Applications Moved to OneStop, AER Bulletin 2019-22
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Directive 056 On October 3, 2019, the AER released a new edition of Directive 056: Energy Development Applications and Schedules that came into effect on October 17, 2019.Section 7.8 has been updated as follows:The Lahee...
AER Bulletin 2019-15: Invitation for Feedback on Draft Requirements for Public Involvement
Link to decision summarizedDraft Directive - Public Involvement - Feedback In this bulletin, the AER announced that it was seeking public feedback on a draft directive setting out industry requirements for engaging and informing members of the public on energy...
AER Bulletin 2019-14: Invitation for Feedback on Revisions to Directive 081
Link to decision summarizedDirective 081 - Feedback In this bulletin, the Alberta Energy Regulator (“AER”) announced that it was seeking public feedback on a new edition of Directive 081: Water Disposal Limits and Reporting Requirements for Thermal In Situ Oil Sands...
AUC Bulletin 2019-08: Changes to the AUC’s Application Process for Gas Utility Pipeline Applications
Link to decision summarizedRule 020 - Amendments - Gas Utility Pipeline Applications The Alberta Utilities Commission (“AUC”) regulates applications for new gas utility pipelines and for amendments to existing gas utility pipelines under the Alberta Utilities...
AUC Bulletin 2019-07: AUC Rule 033: Post- Approval Monitoring Requirements for Wind and Solar Power Plants
Link to decision summarizedRule 033 - Monitoring - Wind - Solar On June 12, 2019, the Alberta Utilities Commission (“AUC”) approved Rule 033: Standardized Post- Approval Monitoring Requirements for Wind and Solar Power Plants. This rule took effect on July 1, 2019.The...
AUC Bulletin 2019-06: AUC Rule 012: Noise Control – Workshop on Rule 012 Changes
Link to decision summarizedRule 012 - Noise Control The Alberta Utilities Commission (“AUC”) regulates noise associated with electric and gas pipeline facilities. In December 2017, the AUC initiated a consultation process on changes to certain provisions of Rule 012:...
AER Bulletin 2019-13: New Alberta Environment and Parks Surface Water Allocation Directive
Link to decision summarizedWater Licence - Environmental Effects In this bulletin, the AER announced that Alberta Environment and Parks (“AEP”) released the Surface Water Allocation Directive. This directive provides guidance when allocating water from rivers, lakes,...
AER Bulletin 2019-12: New Subsurface Order Institutes New Monitoring, Setback, and Response Requirements to Manage the Risk of Induced Seismicity Near the Brazeau Reservoir
Link to decision summarizedHydraulic 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...
AER Bulletin 2019-11: Public Land Disposition Applications Moving to OneStop
Link to decision summarizedPublic Land Disposition - OneStop This bulletin announced that as of May 30, 2019, new, amendment, and renewal applications for the following public land disposition types must be submitted through OneStop:mineral surface lease...
AER Bulletin 2019-10: New Manual for Coal Mine Pit Wall Abandonment
Link to decision summarizedCoal Mine Pit Wall Abandonment In this bulletin, the AER announced that on May 8, 2019, it had released Manual 17: Coal Mine Pit Wall Abandonment. The AER confirmed that no regulatory requirements changed as a result.The manual provides...
AER Bulletin 2019-09: 2019/20 Orphan Fund Levy
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOrphan Fund Levy In this bulletin, the AER announced that, in accordance with Part 11 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act, the AER was prescribing an orphan fund levy in the amount of $60 million.The Orphan Well Association (“OWA”), Canadian...
AER Bulletin 2019-08: Reminder of Increased Risk of Fire During Drier Months
Link to decision summarizedFlare Stacks - Fire Risk The AER reminded licensees that the risk of grass and brush fires that start at flare stacks increases in the drier seasons.The AER recommended that operators follow a regular maintenance schedule for flare stacks...
AUC Bulletin 2019-04: Errata Decisions to Correct Typographical, Spelling and Calculation Errors
Link to decision summarizedErrata - Corrigenda Section 48.1 of Rule 001: Rules of Practice provides that “[t]he Commission may, without notice, correct typographical, spelling and calculation errors and other similar types of errors made in any of its orders,...
AUC Bulletin 2019-03: Generic Proceeding to Review Rate Treatment of Distribution System Acquisition Costs Under Performance-Based Regulation
Link to decision summarizedPerformance-Based Regulation In this bulletin, the AUC announced an AUC initiated a generic proceeding (Proceeding 24405), to consider and clarify the rate treatment of amounts paid by a regulated distribution utility for the acquisition of...
AER Bulletin 2019-04: Update to Survey Plan Requirements When Applying for a Reclamation Certificate
Link to decision summarizedUpdate - Reclamation Certificates In this bulletin, the AER announced that it updated the Specified Enactment Direction 002: Application Submission Requirements and Guidance for Reclamation Certificates for Well Sites and Associated...
AER Bulletin 2019-03: Applications for Partial Upgraders
Link to decision summarizedMining - In Situ Operations In this bulletin, the AER announced that it clarified the application processes for partial upgraders related to mining and in situ operations under Directive 023 (Draft): Oil Sands Project Applications and...
AER Bulletin 2019-02: Update to Disposition Renewal Applications
Link to decision summarizedPublic Lands Act - Forms In this bulletin, the AER announced that effective immediately, disposition renewal applications no longer require a statutory declaration or affidavit.Alberta Environment and Parks revised the Process for the...
AUC Bulletin 2019-01: Revision to AUC Rule 020: Rules Respecting Gas Utility Pipelines
Link to bulletin summarizedPipeline Applications - Proposed Amendments The AUC is seeking written feedback, comments, and suggestions regarding proposed changes to gas utility pipeline applications by March 1, 2019.The AUC is responsible for approving new gas utility...
AER Bulletin 2019-01: Directive 060 Annual Methane Emission Reporting in OneStop
Link to bulletin summarizedMethane Emission Reports This bulletin announced that, effective January 31, 2019, companies may submit annual reports of methane emissions (including vent gas and fugitive emissions).A new edition of Directive 060: Upstream Petroleum...
AUC Bulletin 2018-20: Specified Penalties for Contraventions of AUC Rules
AUC Rules - Amendments Following a rule review and rule development process on December 11, 2018, the AUC approved Rule 032: Specified Penalties for Contravention of AUC Rules (“Rule 032”) and amendments to Rule 021: Settlement System Code Rules (“Rule 021”), Rule...
AER Bulletin 2018-41: The Approach to Administering the Remediation Regulation
Remediation On June 1, 2018, the Government of Alberta issued the Remediation Certificate Amendment Regulation (“Remediation Regulation”), which came into effect on January 1, 2019. This regulation sets out requirements for reporting new information and remedial...
AER Bulletin 2018-40: Production Curtailment Issues Panel Established
Curtailment Rules - Crude Oil - Crude Bitumen The AER announced in this bulletin that it had established a production curtailment issues panel. The panel is seeking feedback on the Curtailment Rules from all operators. Written submissions will be reviewed and...
AER Bulletin 2018-38: Change in Notification of Primary Recovery Scheme Applications for Well Spacing Within the Oil Sands Area
Notification - Primary Recovery Scheme Effective immediately, applicants are no longer required to notify landowners and occupants of primary recovery scheme applications for well spacing within the oil sands areas. These applications are for an increase in the number...
AUC Bulletin 2018-18: Standardized Post-Approval Monitoring Requirements for Wind and Solar Power Plants
Wind - Solar - Post-Approval Requirements In this bulletin, the AUC stated that it is considering enacting a rule establishing standard post-approval monitoring requirements for wind and solar power plants. Although these requirements would apply to all such projects...
AUC Bulletin 2018-17: Electric Distribution System Inquiry
Electricity - Regulatory Framework In this bulletin, the AUC indicated it was opening an inquiry into Alberta’s changing electric distribution system. The purpose of the inquiry is to map out the key issues related to the future of the electric distribution grid and...
AER Bulletin 2018-35: Government of Alberta Curtails Production
Crude Oil - Crude Bitumen On December 2, 2018, the Government of Alberta (“GoA”) announced short-term reductions in crude oil and crude bitumen production effective January 1, 2019.On December 3, 2018, the GoA released Curtailment Rules, regulations made under the Oil...
AER Bulletin 2018-34: Updated Alberta Environment and Parks Master Schedule of Standards and Conditions
Download ReportUpdates - Public Lands Act - In Situ - Reservoir - Geophysical In this Bulletin, the AER announced that on November 22, 2018, Alberta Environment and Parks (“AEP”) updated the Master Schedule of Standards and Conditions (“MSSC”). This affects all AER...
AER Bulletin 2018-33: Reporting Related to Closure Activities and Directive 039 Moving to OneStop
Download ReportUpdates to Reporting As of November 29, 2018, the following reports must be submitted through OneStop, the AER’s online submission tool: reports related to well suspensions (initial suspension, industry inspections, and reactivation); previously...
AER Bulletin 2018-32: New Edition of Directive 017: Measurement of Requirements for Oil and Gas Operations
Download ReportConventional - Unconventional - Thermal In SituIn this Bulletin, the AER announced the release of a new edition of Directive 017: Measurement Requirements for Oil and Gas Operations with revised measurement requirements for conventional, unconventional,...
AUC Bulletin 2018-16: Consultation on Specified Financial Penalties for Utility Customer Care and Billing Issues
Download ReportBill 13 - Electricity - Rule 003 - Proposed Changes In this Bulletin, the AUC invited written comments from interested persons on the proposed new Rule 032: Specified Penalties for Contravention of AUC Rules (“Rule 032”) and the proposed revisions to...
AUC Bulletin 2018-15: Stakeholder Consultation for Specified Penalties, on AUC Rule 021: Settlement System Code Rules and Rule 028: Natural Gas Settlement System Code Rules
Download ReportProposed Changes - Written Comments - Rule 021 - Rule 028 In this Bulletin, the AUC invited written comments from interested persons on proposed changes to Rule 021: Settlement System Code Rules (“Rule 021”) and Rule 028: Natural Gas Settlement System...
AUC Bulletin 2018-14: Practice Advisory and Procedural Change for Oral Argument in Facility Proceedings
Oral Argument - Notice In this bulletin, the AUC acknowledged that the requirement for oral argument is not always communicated by the AUC in advance of the start of a hearing, which stakeholders indicated can lead to inefficiencies in process and time pressures to...
AER Bulletin 2018-30: New Edition of Directive 013: Suspension Requirements for Wells
Download ReportDirective 013 - Optional Annual Inspections In this bulletin, the AER announced the release of a new edition of Directive 013: Suspension Requirements for Wells. The Directive was updated to give licensees that have an AER-approved closure plan the...