Alberta Energy Regulator

AER Publishes 2022 Closure Quota Highlights Report

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 16, 2023
Government, SRP, AER, Alberta Energy Regulator, LMF, Ministry of Energy (Alberta), Work, ABC, Risk management, Property management

The AER can undertake compliance assurance activities against licensees who remain noncompliant with their mandatory closure spend quota.

Key Points: 
  • The AER can undertake compliance assurance activities against licensees who remain noncompliant with their mandatory closure spend quota.
  • While industry can report on closure spend for wells, facilities, and pipelines, closure spend is still primarily focused on wells (88% of spend).
  • Compliance with the mandatory closure spend quota is achieved in three ways:
    • Licensees spent sufficient money to meet or exceed their mandatory closure spend quota.
  • • Licensees provided security for the difference between their mandatory closure spend quota and their closure spend reported.

The Alberta Energy Regulator publishes its 2022 Pipeline Performance Report

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Ministry of Energy (Alberta), IPP, AER, Alberta Energy Regulator, Water, Natural gas, Oil, Propane

Calgary, Alberta, Aug. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has published the 2022 Pipeline Performance report , its annual publication featuring pipeline incident data from 2017 to 2022.

Key Points: 
  • Calgary, Alberta, Aug. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has published the 2022 Pipeline Performance report , its annual publication featuring pipeline incident data from 2017 to 2022.
  • Here are some report highlights:
    The number of high-consequence incidents decreased by 27 per cent from 11 incidents in 2021 to 8 incidents in 2022.
  • Between 2021 and 2022, contact damage during digging increased 75 per cent (24 incidents in 2021 and 42 incidents in 2022).
  • The IPP focuses on sharing information with Albertans and holding operators accountable by publicly and transparently reporting on industry performance.

The Alberta Energy Regulator fines AlphaBow Energy Ltd. for unauthorized pipeline construction

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 13, 2023
Ministry of Energy (Alberta), Oil and Pipelines Act 1985, AER, Environment, Alberta Energy Regulator, Oil

Calgary, Alberta, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has ordered AlphaBow Energy Ltd. (AlphaBow) to pay a $25 000 fine for constructing pipelines without approval.

Key Points: 
  • Calgary, Alberta, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has ordered AlphaBow Energy Ltd. (AlphaBow) to pay a $25 000 fine for constructing pipelines without approval.
  • Between November 11 and 17, 2021, AlphaBow performed work to construct two pipeline segments, near Hardisty, Alberta.
  • While AlphaBow had applied for pipeline licences, the AER had not approved the applications prior to construction.
  • In this case, AlphaBow did not obtain licences under the Pipeline Act, prior to construction.

The Alberta Energy Regulator publishes 2023 Alberta Energy Outlook report

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 26, 2023
Public expenditure, Growth, AB, Ministry of Energy (Alberta), AER, Alberta Energy Regulator, Natural gas, Oil, Lithium

Calgary, AB, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has published the 2023 Alberta Energy Outlook report, our annual publication featuring independent, comprehensive information on the state of Alberta’s energy economy.

Key Points: 
  • Calgary, AB, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has published the 2023 Alberta Energy Outlook report, our annual publication featuring independent, comprehensive information on the state of Alberta’s energy economy.
  • The report shows growth in several areas of Alberta’s energy sector, including oil sands, conventional oil, natural gas, capital expenditures, and emerging energy resources such as geothermal.
  • New for 2023, the report includes forecasts for brine-hosted lithium production.
  • The 2023 Alberta Energy Outlook report is a credible, unbiased, and comprehensive resource that governments, industry, and other key stakeholders may use for planning or making decisions about Alberta’s diverse energy sector.

ARC Resources plead guilty to charge laid by the AER

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 19, 2023
Agreement, Justice, Government of Alberta, ARC Resources, ARC, Ministry of Energy (Alberta), Government, Lay Down Your Weary Tune, Wetaskiwin, Biodiversity, Environmental protection, AER, Investigation, Risk, Water, Alberta Energy Regulator, Biophysical environment, Court, Modeste, Sportsmen's Heritage And Recreational Enhancement Act of 2013, Wetland, Oil

Calgary, Alberta, June 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARC Resources Ltd., has pled guilty in provincial court to a charge laid against them by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) in December 2022.

Key Points: 
  • Calgary, Alberta, June 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARC Resources Ltd., has pled guilty in provincial court to a charge laid against them by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) in December 2022.
  • The Court has ordered ARC to pay a $225 000 penalty, of which, $223 000 will go to the AER creative sentencing project, and the remaining $2000 will go to the Alberta Court of Justice as a fine.
  • The creative sentencing projects will occur within the Modeste sub-watershed of the North Saskatchewan River and/or the counties of Brazeau, Clearwater, Leduc, Parkland, and Wetaskiwin.
  • The water line was immediately shut-in, ARC's emergency response plan was activated, and the AER was notified.

AER lays charges against Whitecap Resources Inc.

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 16, 2023
Ministry of Energy (Alberta), Environmental protection, AER, Enhancement, Justice, Environment, Alberta Energy Regulator, Oil

Calgary, Alberta, June 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has laid charges against Whitecap Resources Inc. (“Whitecap”) following an AER investigation into a release from a well in 2021.

Key Points: 
  • Calgary, Alberta, June 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has laid charges against Whitecap Resources Inc. (“Whitecap”) following an AER investigation into a release from a well in 2021.
  • One count for failing to report that release to the regulator as soon as they knew or ought to have known of the release.
  • As this matter is now before the court, the AER will not have further comment.
  • The AER ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of energy resources in Alberta through our regulatory activities.

Husky held accountable to charge laid by the AER

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Agreement, Justice, Four Inch Course, Canada Business Corporations Act, Government of Alberta, AB, Ministry of Energy (Alberta), CBCA, Government, Lay Down Your Weary Tune, Biodiversity, Environmental protection, AER, Investigation, Risk, Water, Alberta Energy Regulator, Court, Child Protection Restoration and Penalties Enhancement Act of 1990, Wetland, Oil, Cenovus Energy, Frog Lake

Calgary, AB, June 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Husky Oil Operations Limited, now amalgamated into Cenovus Energy Inc., has pled guilty in provincial court to a charge laid against them by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) in October 2022.

Key Points: 
  • Calgary, AB, June 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Husky Oil Operations Limited, now amalgamated into Cenovus Energy Inc., has pled guilty in provincial court to a charge laid against them by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) in October 2022.
  • The charge relates to the discharge of produced water contrary to section 109(2) of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
  • The release from the pipeline occurred prior to the Combination Transaction and over one-year prior to the Husky Amalgamation.
  • Husky owned, operated and was the licensee of the pipeline at all material times related to the release.

VOLT LITHIUM CORP. ANNOUNCES RESOURCE REPORT INDICATING 4.3 MILLION TONNES OF LITHIUM RESOURCE AT ITS RAINBOW LAKE PROPERTY WITH CONCENTRATIONS UP TO 121 mg/L

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Lithium, Pressure, Muskeg Formation, Government House (Alberta), CIM, Technical report, Technical Report Archive & Image Library, Resource, VLT, Mineral Resources Limited, Ministry of Energy (Alberta), OTCQB, Porosity, FSE, Elk Point Group, 2020 United States federal government data breach, Person, Government, QP, Sproule, Permeability, National instrument, NI, SEDAR, Alberta Energy Regulator, Technical, National Instrument 43-101, TSX, Ageing, Muskeg, Visokoi Island, Alberta Geological Survey, OSC, Rare-earth element, Sewage treatment, LCE, Volt

4.3 million tonnes of LCE in the Inferred Mineral Resource category from the Devonian aged Sulphur Point, Muskeg and Keg River (the “Elk Point Group”) aquifers.

Key Points: 
  • 4.3 million tonnes of LCE in the Inferred Mineral Resource category from the Devonian aged Sulphur Point, Muskeg and Keg River (the “Elk Point Group”) aquifers.
  • The Inferred Mineral Resource equates to 215 times the estimated peak production of 20,000 tonnes per year, demonstrating the sheer size and scale of this lithium asset.
  • Volt’s total land position at Rainbow Lake equals ~430,000 acres (~670 sections) and features over 1,300 producing wells from which to source brine.
  • A total of 41 samples of lithium measurements, including public and private data, were used to generate the estimated lithium concentration across the Rainbow Lake Property.

Validere Announces Hire of Lindsay Campbell as Senior Advisor, Carbon Strategies

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Environment, Technology, Other Energy, Environmental Health, Software, Energy, Retail, Data Management, Supply Chain Management, Carbon, Environmental engineering, Software as a service, University, Duvernay, Senior advisor, Ministry of Energy (Alberta), Multimedia, Civil engineering, Regulation and licensure in engineering, Government, Campbell, Horn River Formation, AER, Montney, British Columbia, Water, Alberta Energy Regulator, Methane, MRV, Oil

Validere , a measurement, reporting, and verification ( MRV ) SaaS company, welcomes Lindsay Campbell as Senior Advisor, Carbon Strategies.

Key Points: 
  • Validere , a measurement, reporting, and verification ( MRV ) SaaS company, welcomes Lindsay Campbell as Senior Advisor, Carbon Strategies.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230516005348/en/
    A former senior emissions specialist for the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), Lindsay Campbell joins Validere as Senior Advisor, Carbon Strategies.
  • (Graphic: Business Wire)
    A licensed Professional Engineer, Campbell brings nearly 15 years of experience in the Alberta oil and gas sector.
  • “We are honored to welcome one of Alberta’s top experts in methane emissions regulations to the Validere team,” says Nouman Ahmad, Validere Co-Founder and CEO.

Alberta election: Is the province's energy regulator acting in the public interest?

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Imperial Oil, Industry, Sequoia, Commons, National Observer, Perpetual, Tax, Ministry of Energy (Alberta), Smith, Imperial, Energy, House of Commons, Supreme, RMA, Embarrassment, Government, Sale, Observational comedy, ATB Financial, Park, AER, Climate change, Soil, PWC, Supreme court, Alberta Energy Regulator, First Nations, Program, ATB, Environment, Federation, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, House, Bankruptcy, Risk management, Security (finance), Environmental remediation, Oil, Life insurance, Bank, Airline, Tobacco, Accounting, Credit, Mark (given name)

As a political scientist with a public finance background, I have been studying the impact that environmental contamination can have on government finances.

Key Points: 
  • As a political scientist with a public finance background, I have been studying the impact that environmental contamination can have on government finances.
  • Environmental liabilities are the future costs assumed by licensed oil and gas companies to remediate the extraction site to its previous state.

Reclamation

    • What’s known as the “polluter pay” principle in Alberta law requires all licensed and operational oil and gas companies to adhere to the remediation and reclamation practices of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).
    • Since 2015, financial hardship has resulted in a number of court decisions with significant ramifications for those who could ultimately be stuck with the reclamation bill — taxpayers rather than company shareholders.
    • Financial security is defined as cash or letters of credit that ensure funds are available to the regulator for reclamation costs if companies go bankrupt and fail to meet their obligations.

Two key court cases

    • The first court case on this issue began in May 2015 after ATB Financial, an arm of the Alberta government, pushed Redwater Resources into bankruptcy.
    • Taking such action is always a last resort for a creditor, especially for a public institution like ATB.
    • When the case made it to the Supreme Court of Canada, the polluter pay principal was upheld.

Unpaid municipal taxes

    • Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) says that as of December 2021, $253 million in unpaid taxes had accrued.
    • The RMA is particularly galled that the provincial government allowed companies to avoid municipal taxes on new wells drilled until 2025.
    • Furthermore, it would only apply to 41 per cent of unpaid taxes owed by companies that are currently operating.

Smith’s royalty lobbying

    • Smith’s support of the oil industry’s efforts to receive royalty payment breaks, meanwhile, is an embarrassment to the sector.
    • The premier’s proposed royalty deferral program, RStar, was previously rejected by then Energy Minister Sonya Savage, who was soon moved to the Environment and Parks department.

Kearl Lake spill


    Recently a toxic spill at Imperial Oil’s Kearl Lake oilsands mine has led to a House of Commons environment committee inquiry. The AER and Imperial Oil failed to notify affected First Nations or the federal government. Heartbreaking testimony from First Nations and evasive testimony from chief executives of both Imperial Oil and the AER reveal continuing indifference to the environment.

A tool of the industry

    • All of these developments suggest the Alberta Energy Regulator is controlled by the industry and has lost the public’s trust, particularly First Nations.
    • A powerful book, Hidden Scourge by ecologist Kevin Timoney calls for a dismantling of the regulator, given it apparently acts on behalf of the industry and not the public.