April Regulatory Newsletter

April 2022

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AB: New edition of Directive 017

New edition of Directive 017: Measurement Requirements for Oil and Gas Operations. was released on March 17, 2022. In section 12.3.9, the requirements for well testing in thermal in situ oil sands operations were modified.

Additional information can be found here: Bulletin 2022-05

AB: New Edition of Directive 050

A new edition of Directive 050: Drilling Waste Management was released on March 28, 2022. The changes clarify the requirements, improve regulatory application efficiency, and enable operators to reduce land disturbance from drilling waste management practices.

Additional information can be found here: Bulletin 2022-06

AB: New Editions of Directive 055 and 058 and Rescinded Documents

New edition of Directive 055: Storage Requirements for the Upstream Petroleum Industry and Directive 058: Oilfield Waste Management Requirements for the Upstream Petroleum Industry were released on March 28, 2022.

These directives were updated to incorporate the storage of large volumes of water such as produced water, water-based flow back, and oilfield landfill leachate in storage devices for reuse in hydraulic fracturing.

Directive 055 now includes technical requirements for engineered containment ponds and bladders with structural frames and expanded requirements for aboveground synthetically lined walled storage systems.

Directive 058 now includes storage of water for reuse in hydraulic fracturing as a waste storage activity.

Additional information can be found here: Bulletin 2022-07

MB: Average Wellhead Pressure

As per Informational Notice 22-01 published on March 18, 2022, the injection / disposal well report must contain the average wellhead injection pressure at the end of the report month.

The new Average Pressure field is available on Petrinex as of April 6, 2022.

SK: Gas Commercialization Mapping (GCM)

As of March 28, 2022, the new Gas Commercialization Mapping (GCM) service is accepting requests. The GCM may be requested no more than twice a year per geographic area. A fee may be charged.

The GCM service highlights potential areas where gas volumes are available that could lead to further gas commercialization, including a table of licensees to contact and initiate discussions towards contracting flared or vented gas towards a potential project.

Please visit the GCM Service webpage for more information.

SK: Enforcement of Payment of Surface Rights Compensation

The Ministry of Energy and Resources (ER) is consulting with stakeholders on proposed changes to the Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act (SRACA) and the Oil and Gas Conservation Act (OGCA).

The proposed changes aim to enhance the ability of the Saskatchewan Surface Rights Board of Arbitration (Board) and the ER to enforce payment of compensation owing pursuant to a surface lease or a Board order.

Stakeholders are invited to review and provide written comments by May 6, 2022.

Additional information can be found HERE

BC: Cyber Security Threat Heightened

On March 29, 2022, the BCOGC advised critical infrastructure operators to act with extreme vigilance as the threat of malicious actions targeting the energy sector is presently at a heightened level.

BCOGC will be surveying permit holders to determine what additional supporting resources and guidance may be useful in protecting oil and gas operations from targeted or random cyber crime.

Additional information can be found here: INDB 2022-06

BC: Acid Gas Progress Report Requirement

On March 28, 2022, the BCOGC published a document explaining the Acid Gas Progress Report submission.

The mid-year report is due by August 30 each year and contains data to the end of June. The year-end report is due by March 1 of the following year and contains data to the end of December.

Additional information can be found HERE

BC: Production Allowable

On March 31, 2022, the BCOGC published the Production Allowable Report Instructions and Examples document, which provides instructions on calculations and reporting methodology of production allowables.

Additional information can be found HERE

Integrated Compliance Management Program (ICMP) at Benoit

Did you know that Benoit provides a service which covers our regulatory application, liability management ratio and evaluation services under one umbrella?

Under this program , Benoit acts as a “regulatory arm” for your company by receiving and responding to all compliance related matters on your company’s behalf.

As your regulatory designate, in addition to our regulatory application service, Benoit conducts a number of additional services including, but not limited to:

· Inactive Well Compliance Program Monitoring

· Liability Management Rating Forecasting

· DDS Entry for Well/Completion Details

· Flaring Notifications

· Well Test Data Submissions

· Gas Conservation Economic Analyses

· Monthly VRR calculations/updates for Enhanced Recovery Schemes

If you're interested in this service or would like to discuss this further, please contact us or visit our website for more information.

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