October Regulatory Newsletter

October 2021

‌

AB: 2021/22 AER Administration Fees (Industry Levy)

In September 2021, the Government of Alberta issued invoices to collect the remaining industry levy based on the revised methodology. After considering the industry feedback, the levy allocation has been revised.

The 2021/2022 final billing has been issued using the revised methodology for the full-year amount as of April 1, 2021, and companies have been provided credit for amounts paid under the interim billing. An appeal to your billing amount can be sent in writing to adminfeecoordinator@aer.ca but payment of the entire invoice is required by October 25, 2021 regardless of whether an appeal has been filed.

Effective April 1, 2022, the paper copies of levy invoices to licensees will be replaced by electronic invoices send by email only. Be sure to forward your preferred corporate email address(es) to adminlevyreview@aer.ca at your earliest convenience.

Additional important information about the payment and non payment penalties can be found here: Bulletin 2021-35 and Bulletin 2021-37

AB: New Statement of Concern Form

On September 28, 2021, the AER released a new statement of concern (SOC) form.

- Form can be submitted online, by email or by regular mail, on various devices (cell phone, laptop etc),

- Added more detailed instructions and additional resources,

- Permissions for confidentiality and supplemental information are now requested up front.

Additional information can be found here: Bulletin 2021-38

AB: New Alberta Environment and Parks Directive for In Situ Projects with Non-saline Groundwater in Contact with Bitumen

On September 29, 2021, Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) issued Directive for the Assessment of Non-saline Groundwater in Direct Contact with Bitumen for In Situ Operations. This directive sets out requirements that in situ operators, that hold, or are applying for an approval under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act must follow for assessing and managing non-saline groundwater in contact with bitumen.

Additional information can be found here: Bulletin 2021-39

BC: Change in Transfer of Permit Applications

The BCOGC announced that starting Oct. 5, 2021, the Transfer of Permit applications will be submitted in eSubmission. The Transfer of Permit applications submitted before Oct. 4, 2021 will be completed with the current non-digitized method. Permit Operations and Administration manual and eSubmission User Guide will be updated in early October to reflect these changes.

To access this module in eSubmission, the user is required to have the Asset Transfer Admin. Security role in Kermit. The role is added by the permit holder’s Company Administrator.

Additional information can be found here: INDB 2021-26

BC: Emergency Management Regulation Amendments

The BCOGC issued INDB 2021-27 September 29, 2021 announcing amendments to the Emergency Management Regulation (EMR). INDB came into effect September 1, 2021, and will apply to all start up activities for a new facility or transmission pipeline.

A summary of the approved amendments to the (EMR) and Additional information can be found here: INDB 2021-27

BCOGC will publish the updates to the existing Emergency Management Manual, shortly.

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.

Well Testing Services at Benoit

To support Benoit's regulatory application and compliance related submissions, Benoit utilizes an in-house well test analysis expert, Mr. Reza Ali, C.E.T.

Mr. Ali has over 30 years of experience specializing in domestic and international Flow and Build-Up, Production Data and DFIT Analyses.

If you would like a well test analyzed or if you would simply like more information on our well testing services, please feel free to contact Robyn (at 403.263.3690) or Jason (at 403.874.6769). You may also contact Reza Ali directly at 403.454.0430

We post regulatory updates to our LinkedIn company page on a weekly basis. Follow us to ensure you have access to the most up-to-date information. To view and follow our company page, please click here.