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]
The Alberta Energy Regulator publishes its 2023 Pipeline Performance Report
CALGARY, AB, June 13, 2024 – The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has published the 2023 Pipeline Performance Report, its annual publication featuring pipeline incident data from 2019 to 2023. The AER regulates oil and gas pipelines solely within the borders of Alberta, including lines that transport natural gas, crude oil products, refined products and diluent, produced water, and sour gas. In 2023, the total number of pipeline incidents increased to 354 from 326 in 2022, an 8.6% increase. [Read more]
AER issues corporate abandonment order to Tallahassee Exploration Inc.
CALGARY, AB, June 10, 2024 – On June 5, the Alberta Energy Regulator issued a corporate abandonment order to Tallahassee Exploration Inc., requiring the company to decommission its sites and to submit and implement an approved reclamation plan. The order comes in response to Tallahassee’s failure to comply with two previous orders issued in September and November 2023. On September 15, 2023, the AER issued a reasonable care and measures (RCAM) order to Tallahassee, citing concerns about a [Read more]
The AER penalizes Tallahassee for failing to report methane emissions
CALGARY, AB, May 7, 2024 – The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has fined Tallahassee Exploration Inc. (Tallahassee) for failure to meet its fugitive emissions and methane reporting requirements in 2021. The company has been ordered to pay $191,885. The AER began investigating Tallahassee in 2022 and has determined that the company contravened the Methane Emission Reduction Regulation (MERR) on two counts: Failure to submit methane emissions reports for the 2021 reporting period. [Read more]
AER Board Chair David Goldie Announces Resignation
AER Board Chair David Goldie announced that he will resign as Chair, and Board Member of the AER, effective September 1, 2024. Mr. Goldie will continue to be involved with the Board until September and will assist the organization with transition to new Board leadership. “As I approach the 5-year mark with the AER Board, I’m very pleased with where the AER is today particularly as it relates to the organization’s professionalism, culture and engagement of staff, and its efficiency,” says Mr. [Read more]
Revision and Clarification on Alberta Energy Regulator’s Measures to Limit Environmental Impacts Pending Regulatory Changes to Address the Redwater Decision
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has considered feedback on its interim measures to protect Albertans from unfunded liabilities and issues Bulletin 2016-21 to clarify the requirements. The AER reiterates that the interim measures are necessary to protect Albertans from unfunded liabilities. The liability management rating (LMR) of 1.0 is not sufficient to ensure that licensees will be able to address their obligations throughout the life cycle of energy development; therefore, [Read more]
Licensee Eligibility – Alberta Energy Regulator Measures to Limit Environmental Impacts Pending Regulatory Changes to Address the Redwater Decision
On May 19, 2016, the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench issued its decision in a matter involving a dispute between the receiver of Redwater Energy Corporation (Grant Thornton Limited), the Alberta Treasury Branches, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), and the Orphan Well Association (OWA) (the Redwater decision). The Court found that receivers and trustees of AER licensees may selectively disclaim unprofitable assets (and their associated abandonment and reclamation obligations) under section [Read more]