Manuals

Ensures that inspections are completed by AER staff in a consistent manner for oil and gas facilities, injection and disposal facilities, custom treating plants, waste management facilities, and well sites.

Ensures that drilling waste operations are inspected by AER staff in a consistent manner.

Explains our hearing process . It is particularly useful for those who may be affected by an AER decision. Also recommended for regional public groups, new companies, and new industry staff.

Explains our alternative dispute resolution program and its guidelines.

Ensures that pipeline operations are inspected by AER staff in a consistent manner.

Manual 005 replaced Directive 066: Requirements and Procedures for Pipelines on October 29, 2020.

Aims to minimize disturbance of native prairie or parkland areas in Alberta.

Manual 007 replaced Informational Letter (IL) 2002-01: Principles for Minimizing Surface Disturbance in Native Prairie and Parkland Areas.

Provides application processes and timelines for oil sands exploration and coal exploration programs.

Rescinded by Bulletin 2020-07.

Rescinded by Specified Enactment Direction 001: Direction for Conservation and Reclamation Submissions Under an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act Approval for Enhanced Recovery In Situ Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Processing Plants and Oil Production Sites as per Bulletin 2016-02.

Explains to industry how we receive data through Petrinex.

Contains the procedural instructions and forms necessary to apply to construct or operate facilities, pipelines, or wells under Directive 056 .

Describes our compliance and enforcement program.

Clarifies our existing process for classifying liquids and determining well status fluid type.
Flowcharts:

• Well Status Fluid Type Determination Flowchart
• Liquid Classification Flowchart

Provides a guide for companies tasked with reporting and quantifying vent gas and fugitive methane emissions as required by Directive 060.

Provides a guide for industry on how to develop fugitive emissions management programs (FEMPs) that comply with Directive 060.

Provides guidance on the submission requirements, application process, and evaluation criteria for coal mine pit wall abandonment under the Coal Conservation Rules (CCR).

This manual outlines what to consider when preparing to apply through the OneStop system for an activity on public lands.

Explains how we assess and process dam decommissioning, closure, and abandonment submissions that are required under section 34 of the Water (Ministerial) Regulation and part 9 of Alberta Environment and Parks’ Alberta Dam and Canal Safety Directive.

Explains the submission requirements, application process, and evaluation criteria for development of coal resources in Alberta.

See Sample Third Quarter Mine Report for report examples for open pit, strip, and underground mines.

Explains the regulatory requirements and expectations for remediating contamination related to oil and gas, in situ, and pipeline activities regulated by the AER. A draft of the manual was open for public comment in July and August 2021 (see Bulletin 2021-26). Read the summary of what we heard and changes made to the manual in response.

Under section 5.2(2)(b) of the Alberta Energy Regulator Rules of Practice, we may make decisions on certain types of applications under the Public Lands Act before the time period for filing a statement of concern has elapsed (an expedited decision). This manual lists the specific application types under the Public Lands Act that qualify for an expedited decision.

This manual supplements Directive 088: Licensee Life-Cycle Management, expanding on its requirements and programs.

Explains how to comply with security and reporting requirements under the Mine Financial Security Program.

This manual assists operators in applying for new water licences, licence renewals, and licence amendments pursuant to the Water Act and under the scope of the Water Conservation Policy for Upstream Oil and Gas Operations. A draft of the manual was open for public comment in April and May 2021 (see Bulletin 2021-15). Read the summary of what we heard and changes made to the manual in response. 

•    Water Conservation Policy Map Viewer

This manual provides guidance for duty holders on specific aspects of emergency response planning, engaging with the public and appropriate authorities, and the public protection measures used in incident response.

A submission guidance companion to the requirements in Directive 059: Well Drilling and Completion Data Filing Requirements.