Download ReportPipeline Conditions –Compliance The NEB, following up on the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s (“CESD”) recommendation that the NEB improve public access to information about company compliance with approval conditions,...
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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.
AER Bulletin 2016-01: Release of the Integrated Compliance Assurance Framework and Manual 013: Compliance and Enforcement Program; Rescission of Directive 019: Compliance Assurance
The AER released Bulletin 2016-01 announcing the harmonization of the AER’s new compliance assurance requirements under “energy resource enactments” and “specified enactments” under the Responsible Energy Development Act.
AUC Bulletin 2016-02: Revision of AUC Rule 007 Respecting Environmental Updates and Needs Identification Documents
Download ReportBulletin – Rule 007 Revisions The AUC released this bulletin as a follow-up to Bulletin 2015-14 in which the AUC identified a need to work with stakeholders to identify improvements and revisions to Rule 007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations,...
AUC Bulletin 2016-01: Revision of AUC Rule 027: Specified Penalties for Contravention of Reliability Standards
Download ReportBulletin – Rule 027 Revisions On January 26, 2016, the AUC released a bulletin advising that it approved amendments to AUC Rule 027: Specified Penalties for Contravention of Reliability Standards (“Rule 27”). The bulletin notes that the amendments...
Confirmation of the Transfer of Pipeline Records to Be Added to the Licence Transfer Application (Bulletin 2015-34)
The AER announced that it was amending its pipeline licence transfer application process to include a written confirmation that records required by CSA Z662: Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems (“CSA Z662”) and part 4 of the Pipeline Rules have been maintained by the seller (or transferor) and have been transferred to the purchaser (or transferee) of the licence.
Revision of AUC Rule 019: Specified Penalties for Contravention of ISO Rules (Bulletin 2015-18)
The AUC announced that it approved amendments to AUC Rule 019: Specified Penalties for Contravention of ISO Rules (“Rule 19”). The amendments became effective on December 7, 2015.
Changes to NEB electronic filing system
Download ReportAnnouncement - Electronic Filing System The NEB announced that, effective October 21, 2015, the NEB’s electronic filing system will be changed to automate the exhibit numbering process when filing documents.
Draft amendments to AUC Rule 007 respecting environmental requirements and needs identification documents (Bulletin 2015-14)
Download ReportRule 007 - Amendments The AUC announced proposed changes to Rule 007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations and Hydro Developments to reflect:(a) Updates for environmental requirements, including...
Amendments to Directive 060: Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring Incinerating, and Venting (Bulletin 2015-30)
The AER announced changes to Directive 060: Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring, Incinerating, and Venting (“Directive 060”), which came into effect on October 5, 2015.
Charges laid regarding October 2013 Apache Zama City Pipeline Spill (News Release 2015-18)
Download ReportNews Release – Pipeline Spill The AER announced that charges were laid under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (“EPEA”) and the Public Lands Act (“PLA”) against Apache Canada Ltd. (“Apache”) following an October 25, 2013 pipeline spill of...
Charges laid regarding October 2013 Obed Mountain Coal Mine Spill (News Release 2015-18)
Download ReportNews Release – Coal Mine Spill The AER announced that charges under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (“EPEA”) and the Public Lands Act (“PLA”) were laid against Sheritt International Corporation (“Sherritt”) and Coal Valley Resources...
Invitation for Feedback: Draft Requirements for Hydrocarbon Emission Controls and Gas Conservation in the Peace River Area (Bulletin 2015-31)
Download ReportBulletin – Invitation for Feedback – Emission Controls – Conservation The AER sought public feedback until November 8, 2015, on a draft directive on requirements for addressing odours and emissions from heavy oil and bitumen operations in the Peace...
Administration of Good Production Practice for Conventional Crude Oil Pools (Bulletin 2015-29)
Download ReportBulletin – Good Production Practice The AER announced changes to the administration of Good Production Practice (“GPP”) for wells in a newly defined oil pool. The AER may grant GPP status under section 10.060 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Rules...
Second 2015 Orphan Fund Levy (Bulletin 2015-24)
The AER announced the collection of the second orphan levy of $15 million to fully fund the Orphan Well Association’s approved budget of $30 million.
Bulletin 2015-25: Restrictions to Temporary Diversion Licences
The Bulletin advises that no new TDL applications are being accepted for the watercourses listed above. The restrictions will be lifted when river flows return to acceptable levels.
Draft amendments to AUC Rule 007 to streamline application requirements for needs identification documents and abbreviated needs identification documents (Bulletin 2015-12)
Download ReportBulletin – Rule 007 The AUC announced the release of draft amendments to Rule 007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations and Hydro Developments (“Rule 007”) to streamline application requirements...
Issuance of Subsurface Order No. 1A Regarding the Montney-Lower Doig (Bulletin 2015-23)
Download ReportBulletin - Subsurface Order The AER has issued Subsurface Order No. 1A, and rescinded the original Subsurface Order No. 1 regarding the Montney-Lower Doig. The new order expands the area set out in Subsurface Order No. 1, which was previously announced...
AER Bulletin 2015-20: Release of Revised Joint Operating Procedures for First Nations Consultation on Energy Resource Activities
Download ReportBulletin – First Nations Consultation The AER announced the release of a revised version of the Joint Operating Procedures for First Nations Consultation on Energy Resource Activities (the “Procedures”). The Procedures set out the administration and...
Initiating the ATCO Utilities IT common matters proceeding to examine IT costs related to the master services agreements between ATCO and Wipro Solutions Canada Limited (Wipro) (Bulletin 2015-11)
Download ReportBulletin – Common Proceeding - IT costs - MSAs The AUC announced Proceeding 20514, a common matter to examine the costs for information technology (“IT”) services common to ATCO Electric Ltd. and ATCO Pipelines Ltd. (the “ATCO Utilities”). The AUC...
Ongoing Regulatory Document Review: Rescission of Directive 048 and Informational Letter 94-02 (Bulletin 2015-18)
Download ReportBulletin – Directive 048 The AER announced that effective immediately, the following regulatory documents are rescinded:(a) IL 94-02: Injection and Disposal Wells (“IL 94-02”); and(b) Directive 048: Monthly Custom Treating Plant Statement (“Directive...
Revised Addendum to Directive 036: Alternative Pressure Testing Method (Bulletin 2015-16)
Download ReportBulletin – 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...
Generic Proceeding to Establish Parameters for the Next Generation of Performance-Based Regulation Plans (Bulletin 2015-10)
Download ReportBulletin – Generic Proceeding – Performance-Based Regulation Plans The AUC issued a letter to AltaGas Utilities Inc., ATCO Electric Ltd., ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd., ENMAX Power Corporation; EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc.; FortisAlberta...
Licensee Liability Rating (LLR) Program Changes – Phase 3 (Bulletin 2015-13)
Download ReportBulletin – Licensee Liability Rating The AER announced, in accordance with its previous Bulletin 2013-09, that it is implementing the third, and final, phase of changes to the Licensee Liability Rating (LLR) program (the “LLR Program”). The LLR Program...
Electric Transmission Project – Process Improvements: Amendments to Rule 007 to Streamline Need and Facility Application Requirements, and the Repeal of Rule 008 (Bulletin 2015-06)
Download ReportBulletin – Rule 007 – Rule 008 – Need – Facility Application The AUC announced the repeal of AUC Rule 008: Rules Respecting Use of Abbreviated Needs Process (“Rule 008”), to be effective April 1, 2015. The AUC also announced a number of changes to AUC...
Letter to All NEB Regulated Companies: Emergency Procedures Manuals (March 26, 2015)
Download ReportEmergency Procedures Manual The National Energy Board informed all companies under its jurisdiction, via letter, that the Emergency Procedures Manuals (“EPMs”) filed under subsection 32(2) of the National Energy Board Onshore Pipeline Regulations, and...
AUC Rule 004: Alberta Tariff Billing Code Rules (Bulletin 2015-07)
Download ReportBulletin – Rule 004 - Tariff The AUC announced the approval of changes to AUC Rule 004: Albert Tariff Billing Code Rules (“Rule 004”), which were approved on March 11, 2015, and will become effective April 1, 2015.Since the approved changes involve...
Issuance of Subsurface Order No. 3 Regarding the Duvernay Zone (Bulletin 2015-12)
Download ReportBulletin – Subsurface Order The AER announced the issuance of Subsurface Order No. 3 regarding the Duvernay Zone (“Order”), which became effective April 1, 2015. The Order sets out the following subsurface rules and regulatory processes within the...
Directive 074: Tailings Performance Criteria and Requirements for Oil Sands Mining Schemes Suspended (Bulletin 2015-11)
Download ReportBulletin – Directive – Oil Sands The AER announced the suspension of Directive 074: Tailings Performance Criteria and Requirements for Oil Sands Mining Schemes (“Directive 074”) effective immediately, including all associated approval conditions and...
Bulletin 2015-05: Oil and Gas Conservation Rules Change Introducing Subsurface Orders
Download ReportBulletin – Subsurface Orders – Oil and Gas Conservation Rules The AER announced an amendment to the Oil and Gas Conservation Rules (“OGCR”), which now allow for the AER to make subsurface orders. The nature of such new orders is set out in the newly...
Bulletin 2015-07: Subsurface Order No. 2: Monitoring and Reporting of Seismicity in the Vicinity of Hydraulic Fracturing Operations in the Duvernay Zone, Fox Creek, Alberta
Download ReportBulletin – Subsurface Order The AER released Subsurface Order No. 2 regarding monitoring and reporting of seismicity in the vicinity of hydraulic fracturing operations in the Duvernay Zone in the Fox Creek area of Alberta.The bulletin notes that during...
Bulletin 2015-06: Issuance of Subsurface Order No. 1 Regarding the Montney-Lower Doig
Download ReportBulletin – Subsurface Order Pursuant to changes to the Oil and Gas Conservation Rules announced in AER Bulletin 2015-05, the AER released Subsurface Order No. 1 effective March 1, 2015 for the Montney-Lower Doig zone (the “SO1”).Subsurface Order No. 1...
Bulletin 2015-04 and Bulletin 2015-10: Joint Operating Procedures for First Nations Consultation on Energy Resource Activities, Including New Application Requirements
Download ReportBulletin – First Nations Consultation – Application Requirements On February 4, 2015, the AER announced the release of the Joint Operating Procedures for First Nations Consultation on Energy Resource Activities, including new application requirements...
Bulletin 2015-03: Observed Seismicity and Oil and Gas Operations: Operators’ Responsibilities
Download ReportBulletin – Seismicity – Licensee Responsibilities On February 3, 2015, the AER released Bulletin 2015-03 confirming a seismic event that took place on January 22, 2015 in the vicinity of Fox Creek, Alberta. The seismic event, measuring 4.4 on the...
AUC Bulletin 2015-02: Consultation on AUC Rule 027: Specified Penalties for Contravention of Reliability Standards
Download ReportBulletin – Rule 027 Up to January 29, 2015, the AUC invited comments from market participants and interested parties regarding possible amendments to AUC Rule 027: Specified Penalties for Contravention of Reliability Standards.Since the last amendment...
AER Bulletin 2015-01: Revised Directive 058 – Addendum: Oilfield Waste Management Facility Approvals – Notification and Amendment Procedures Released
Download ReportBulletin - Directive – Oilfield Waste Management Effective January 14, 2015, Directive 058 – Addendum: Oilfield Waste Management Facility Approvals – Notification and Amendment Procedures Released (“Directive 058”) will replace the previous addendum...
AER Bulletin 2015-02: Consent Submissions for Public Lands Disposition Applications
Download ReportBulletin – Consent Submission – Public Lands Act Applications This bulletin clarifies the administrative completeness requirements for Public Lands Act applications related to consents provided via e-mail to Electronic Disposition System (EDS)...