Oilfield injection policy and guideline
A new policy and guideline have been prepared to address public concerns regarding the use of non-saline water for oilfield injection. Developed in cooperation with industry and government stakeholders, the policy and guideline are based on the recommendations of the Minister's Advisory Committee On Water Use Practice and Policy.
For more information about the policy or guideline, contact Robert George at robert.george@gov.ab.ca or at (780) 644-1122 (toll free in Alberta by first dialing 310-0000).
During the public consultation phases of Water for Life Albertans
raised a number of concerns regarding the sustainability of various
water uses, particularly water used for the enhanced recovery of
oil (oilfield injection). Albertans were concerned about reductions
in the availability of useable water (i.e., losses from the active
hydrologic cycle) in a time when drought conditions were impacting
other users in the province.
In response to these concerns, the Minister of the Environment
appointed an advisory
committee to further investigate these issues and to
develop policy recommendations that will improve the long-term
management
and protection of Alberta’s water resources.
Advisory Committee on Water Use Practice and Policy
This Committee was formed using a multi-stakeholder selection
approach. Members
include representatives from provincial and municipal governments,
industry (agriculture, energy and forest sectors), environmental organizations
and the public-at-large. The mandate of the committee is to identify
issues, examine alternative options and approaches, and to prepare
recommendations for the Minister on the general topic of practices
that remove water from the hydrologic cycle, including oilfield injection
activities.
This committee was established in Fall 2003, and held its first
meeting in October. It was scheduled
to meet six times before the end of March 2004. A priority
for the committee was to establish its Terms
of Reference and outline its approach.
As an
initial step in this review process, the Committee submitted a preliminary
report to the Minister of the Environment
on March 31, 2004. The Committee then asked for public feedback
on the recommendations in the report and is now reviewing that
feedback and preparing to finalize its recommendations to the
Minister of Environment.
The Government of Alberta has received the Advisory Committee on Water Use Practice
and Policy's final recommendations report.
View news release (issued October 22, 2004)
View fact
sheet on the Advisory Committee...
View brief meeting
summaries… View current
policies and guidelines related to water use for enhanced oil recovery…
View Water and oil: an overview of the use
of water for enhanced oil recovery in Alberta (pdf information booklet) View related
technical reports...
View presentations
made to the Advisory Committee…
|
