June 2023 Regulatory Newsletter

June 2023

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Introducing Benoit+ Service

Manage multiple compliance matters effortlessly with our Benoit+ program!

Save time and effort with an up-to-date snapshot of your company's regulatory performance and tasks.

Click on the link below to watch a 5-minute video that outlines what our program offers:

Benoit+ quick intro

Stay in compliance with ease through our proactive monitoring and timely notifications for deadlines including initial pressures, annual pressures, packer isolation tests, and more. Our monthly monitoring covers well allowables, GOR's, Enhanced Recovery VRR's and much more.

Access all your compliance details conveniently in one place with the Benoit+ portal.

Our experienced team is ready to promptly assist you with any compliance issues.

AB: AER supports free access to CSA standards

The AER has supported an initiative to provide Canadians with free access to CSA technical standards. Albertans now have free access to the standards that regulate oil and gas pipelines.

The main CSA pipeline technical standard, CSA Z662, is now available at no cost. Additional standards available for free download will be listed on the Canadian Energy Regulator (CER) website, with links to the CSA Group site.

Additional information can be found HERE

AB: Invitation for Feedback on Revisions to Directive 020

The AER is seeking feedback on updates to Directive 020: Well Abandonment. The deadline to submit your feedback is July 12, 2023.

The proposed changes in section 5.4 amend the requirements for the abandonment of cased-hole wells penetrating an oil sands zone.

To provide feedback complete the public comment form on the AER website. Comments can also be proved via email to directive020@aer.ca or mailed to Alberta Energy Regulator.

Additional information can be found here: Bulletin 2023-26

AB: Information Session on Minerals

On July 19, 2023 at 1.00-3:30 p.m. the AER will be hosting a virtual public information session about rock-hosted minerals and the AER’s roles and responsibilities.

Attendees must register for the event HERE

SK: Amended Version of Directive PNG013

On June 28, 2023, an amended version of Directive PNG013: Well Data Submission Requirements came into effect and repealed Guideline PNG023: Submission of Drill Cutting: Oil, Gas and Potash Wells .

Noteworthy changes to Directive PNG013 include the following:

• Migration of repealed sections from The Oil and Gas Conservation Regulations, 2012 regarding the submission of drill cores/cutting samples, reservoir surveys and production/injection well testing data;

• Merging and migration of applicable information from Guideline PNG023;

• Additional hydraulic fracturing data submission requirements to support Directive PNG048: Hydraulic Fracturing Requirements

Additional information can be found here: BT2023-007

SK: Revised Version of Directive PNG008

On June 28 2023, a revised version of Directive PNG008: Disposal and Injection Well Requirements came into effect.

Key changes include:

• All produced water disposal wells and injection wells associated with enhanced recovery approved prior to March 29, 2018 are allowed to continue operating without submitting a cement bond log to ER until an Integrated Resource Information System (IRIS) authorization has been issued for Well Repair, Reclassification, Recompletion, Commingling or it has been requested by ER;

• Updated/expanded requirements for annual pressure/rate monitoring reports for potash waste disposal wells are to be submitted in the IRIS by March of the following year unless otherwise approved by ER; and

• New freehold mineral owner consent requirements for disposal wells in carbon dioxide storage projects.

Further information on applications for storage projects can be found at the Storage Project Application web page.

Also the existing requirement for all disposal and injection wells approved prior to March 29, 2018, to be in compliance with the directive’s completion, operation, monitoring and logging requirements within five years of that date has been suspended via Bulletin BT2023- 003.

Additional information can be found here: BT2023-008

BC: New Report Available to Support Administrative Compliance

On June 5, 2023, the BCER introduced a new report to assist permit holders in meeting their administrative submission requirements. This resource can help permit holders ensure they submit information to the BCER on time and maintain compliance with legislated requirements.

The Submissions Due Report is updated daily and can be filtered and sorted by permit holder, submission type in addition to a selection of other data fields. Items coming due for submission and past due items that have not been received are listed.

This pilot project focuses on submissions related to drilling, well operations, reservoir engineering and geology.

Additional information can be found here: TU2023-08

BC: Amendment to OGAA – Invasive Plant Compliance Record

Effective June 12, 2023, amendments have been made to regulations under the Oil and Gas Activities Act (OGAA) that strengthen invasive plants management through adding the requirement to prepare and maintain an invasive plant compliance record.

An invasive plant compliance record is a prescribed record under Section 38 of OGAA. Permit holders must prepare and maintain these records and be prepared to produce or submit the records at the request of the BCER.

Additional information can be found here: TU2023-10

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