Bulletin 2018-38: Change in Notification of Primary Recovery Scheme Applications for Well Spacing Within the Oil Sands Areas
Effective immediately, applicants are no longer required to notify landowners and occupants of primary recovery scheme applications for well spacing within the oil sands areas. These applications are for an increase in the number of subsurface locations to recover heavy oil or bitumen from a specified formation or deposit within a particular area (drilling spacing unit).
They do not include a request for authorization of surface activities.
Applicants must still notify landowners and occupants, under Directive 056: Energy Development Applications and Schedules, of any applications for surface activities, such as the construction and operation of pipelines, wells, and other surface facilities.
Public notice of all AER applications, including primary recovery scheme applications, will continue to be provided on the AER website, www.aer.ca, giving Albertans the opportunity to express any concerns about an energy development project.
Notifications currently in progress for primary recovery scheme applications received by the AER before December 14, 2018, should be completed by the applicant, and any statements of concern received will be addressed by the AER in accordance with the Alberta Energy Regulator Rules of Practice.
For any questions about this bulletin, contact the AER’s Customer Contact Centre by phone at 403 297 8311 (toll free: 1-855-297-8311) or by email at inquiries@aer.ca.
