Upstream Oil and Gas Reclamation and Remediation Program

Alberta's Upstream Oil and Gas Reclamation and Remediation Program ensures that land used for oil and gas development is restored to a productive state.

The program, developed in consultation with landowners, industry and other affected stakeholders, requires all upstream oil and gas sites on private and public land to be reclaimed when a site is no longer productive. Alberta Environment is responsible for reclamation of private land and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development for public land. Alberta Environment oversees the development of guidelines and documentation used to administer these parallel programs.

The company that owns the well or pipeline applies to either Alberta Environment or Alberta Sustainable Resource Development for a reclamation certificate. Each application must include an assessment to determine if contamination is present and a report detailing how contaminants were cleaned and surface issues were addressed. If all standards are met, Alberta Environment issues the company a reclamation certificate.

Program Developments

Alberta Environment is committed to continuous improvement of Alberta's Upstream Oil and Gas Reclamation and Remediation Program to ensure that it is meeting the needs of stakeholders and protecting the environment.

• The public comment periods for the Draft Alberta Tier 1 Soil and Groundwater Remediation Guidelines (2006) and the Draft Development and Application of Tier 2 Remediation Guidelines in Alberta (2006) are complete. Alberta Environment appreciates all the feedback and is now reviewing the comments received.
• Application fee change.
• An updated look at Alberta's Upstream Oil and Gas Reclamation and Remediation Program for August 2005.
• Backgrounder on Alberta's Upstream Oil and Gas Reclamation and Remediation Program report for August 2005
• Recommendations to the Minister of Environment developed by The Oil and Gas Remediation and Reclamation Advisory Committee (OGRRAC) on implementation of the revised Upstream Oil and Gas Reclamation and Remediation Program.
• New guidelines are in effect for all Environmental Site Assessments of drilling waste disposal areas Assessing Drilling Waste Disposal Areas: Compliance Options for Reclamation Certification.
• The sampling protocol described in Fact Sheet R&R/04-1, Assessing Drilling Waste Disposal Areas , will still be accepted on sites where a Phase 2 ESA was conducted and the samples analyzed prior to March 31, 2005.
• The deadline for information to allow processing of reclamation certificate applications received by Alberta Environment from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2003, was April 30, 2005.