Bulletin 2025-27 Industry-Wide Closure Spend Requirements for 2026 PDF: View Bulletin Release Date: August 26, 2025 Under the Government of Alberta’s Liability Management Framework(opens in new window), the AER’s Inventory Reduction Program (described in Directive 088: Licensee Life-Cycle Management) includes setting an annual industry-wide closure spend requirement. We review the closure spend amount each year and adjust it based on several [Read more]
The Alberta Energy Regulator publishes its 2024 Pipeline Performance Report
June 10, 2025 CALGARY, AB – The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has released its 2024 Pipeline Performance Report, the latest in its annual series tracking industry performance on pipeline safety across the province. The AER regulates more than 400 000 kilometres of pipeline within Alberta’s borders that transport natural gas, crude oil and refined products, diluent, produced water, and sour gas. The report covers incident data from 2020 to 2024 and forms part of the AER’s [Read more]
AER announces new Hearing Commissioner appointments
June 5, 2025 Calgary, AB - The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is pleased to announce that the Government of Alberta has appointed several new hearing commissioners and reappointed others, effective July 25, 2025. Harold Robinson has been reappointed as a full-time commissioner for a three-year term. Brian Zaitlin and Shona Mackenzie, both currently part-time commissioners, have been appointed as full-time commissioners for three-year terms. Shauna Cartwright has been appointed as a [Read more]
Alberta Energy Regulator strengthens Board of Directors with the addition of three new directors
April 9, 2025 CALGARY, AB – The Alberta Energy Regulator is pleased to announce the Government of Alberta has appointed Lee Deibert, Roderick Graham, and Richard Piche, to its Board of Directors, effective today, for a five-year term. Current board member, Gary Leach has been reappointed for another five-year term. In addition, current board member, Corrina Bryson, will be completing her term as a member of the Board on April 14, 2025. The Board of Directors would like to thank Corrina for [Read more]
Seismic event February 20, 2025
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) received a report of a seismic event from R360 Environmental Solutions on February 20 at 8:41 a.m. MT. This event occurred approximately 100 kilometres south of Grande Prairie, Alberta and is currently estimated to be ML= 5.08 in magnitude. The Alberta Geological Survey (AGS), a branch of the AER, is reviewing the incident to determine the cause. There are no reports of damage or injury at this time. The AER requires companies to engage mitigation protocols [Read more]
AER Board appoints Rob Morgan as new Chief Executive Officer
CALGARY, AB – The Board of Directors of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is pleased to announce Mr. Rob Morgan will join the AER on February 18, 2025, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). “With decades of industry experience as a petroleum engineer and corporate executive, Rob comes to the AER with a strong perspective on the current issues facing both the oil and gas industry and the regulator,” said Duncan Au, AER Board Chair. “Through the Premier of Alberta, the provincial government [Read more]
AER Directs Orphan Well Association to Immediately Assume Management of Sequoia Resource Sites
January 30, 2025 The Alberta Energy Regulator has directed the Orphan Well Association (OWA) to assume control of the majority of Sequoia Resources Corp.’s (Sequoia) sites. The reasonable care and measures (RCAM) order issued on January 29, 2025, directs the OWA to immediately take responsibility for the care of about 2500 sites that the AER has now orphaned for closure. “Our top priority is to protect the public and the environment while ensuring the safe closure of upstream oil and gas [Read more]
AER issues order to Sunshine Oilsands Ltd.
On November 14, 2024, the AER issued an order requiring Sunshine Oilsands Ltd. to suspend its wells, facilities, and pipelines; post a security deposit; and provide reasonable care and measures for its sites as the company has repeatedly failed to comply with regulatory requirements and address compliance issues in a timely manner. The AER’s order requires Sunshine Oilsands to take a number of actions: Suspend all wells, facilities, and pipelines. Immediately report any hazards that [Read more]
Alberta Energy Regulator announces $50 million increase to Closure Spend Requirement in 2025
CALGARY, AB, July 25, 2024 – The Alberta Energy Regulator’s industry-wide closure spend requirement for 2025 has been set at $750 million, a $50 million increase over last year’s requirement of $700 million. See Bulletin 2024-19 for more information. Closure spend requirements specify the minimum amount licensees are required to spend on closure work each year. As of June 30, 2024, the reported industry closure spend for 2023 was about $923 million, which includes the remaining funding [Read more]
AER’s 2024 Alberta Energy Outlook report now available
CALGARY, AB, June 24, 2024 – Today, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) published the 2024 Alberta Energy Outlook report (formerly ST98). The report is an annual publication featuring independent, comprehensive information on the state of Alberta’s energy industry. The report shows that Alberta remains the largest producer of natural gas and oil in Canada, producing more than 60% of Canada’s natural gas and almost 85% of Canada’s oil equivalent (including bitumen) in 2023. 2024 Report [Read more]