October 2026

The AER is proposing a new directive for primary recovery schemes within oil sands areas, replacing Information Letter 85-12.

The proposed directive formalizes application requirements for new schemes, amendments and removals, including mineral-rights notification, ownership information, scheme boundaries, buffer distances and development plans.

Comments are still open until October 21, 2026, so there is a little time left for industry to weigh in.

Bulletin 2026-37 | Alberta Energy Regulator

Effective November 2, 2026, a fairly long list of operational notifications will move to OneStop and will no longer be accepted through email, DDS or other legacy methods.

This includes drilling commencement, abandonment, flaring and venting, ERP exercises and license transfers, drilling-waste pre-disposal and several Water Act notifications.

The underlying requirements and reporting timelines aren’t changing... just where you click Submit. Service contractors should make sure they have OneStop access before November 2.

Bulletin 2026-40 | Alberta Energy Regulator

The AER is also holding virtual training sessions October 20, 22, 27 and 28. 

Events | Alberta Energy Regulator

Saskatchewan has clarified how stimulated natural hydrogen projects fit into its tenure system.

Exploration now requires a Helium and Associated Gases Permit, obtained through the public offering process. Before production can begin, the proponent must hold a Helium and Associated Gases Lease.

The province may also impose additional project-specific requirements depending on the proposed stimulation method and environmental, subsurface or operational considerations. A new resource, but apparently no need for a whole new tenure system.

Bulletin | Ministry of Energy and Resources

Directive 068 has received a more substantial update.

The AER will now accept an approved Demand Forfeiture Bond (DFB) as a form of security for oil, gas, geothermal and brine-hosted mineral developments. The notice period for cancelling or not renewing a letter of credit has also increased from 60 to 90 days.

The directive also clarifies security for oilfield waste facilities and changes how interest on cash security deposits is refunded.

Bulletin 2026-42 | Alberta Energy Regulator