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Oil and Gas Exploration on
Public Lands
LICA, Oct 16, 2012
Seismic Line
Conventional 2D
Conventional 3D
Oil Sands Exploration Well
The boring stuff….
In Alberta, oil and gas exploration is regulated by a number of Acts, Regulations, Code of Practice and government directives.
Seismic
Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) has the mandate to approve all seismic exploration programs within the province of Alberta under the following legislations:
Mines and Minerals Act (Part 8)
Part 8 of the Act outlines regulations for exploration.
Exploration Regulation (AR 284/2006)
Alberta Regulation 284/2006 regulates companies engaging in exploration of petroleum and natural gas projects governed by the
Mines and Minerals Act.
Seismic Legislation Compliance ESRD receives applications for proposed seismic exploration programs
and approves the applications under the legislation for all petroluem and natural gas seismic exploration within the province of Alberta. SRD oversees day-to-day operations and ensures legislation compliance with the legislations which includes:
Exploration Directives
Schedule 1 of Alberta's Exploration Regulation includes a list of 26 exploration directives. While the Regulation describes the "must do" about exploration operations, the directives explain "how to do". The directives use plain language to make exploration requirements easy to understand. Each exploration directive is enforced through the specific section of the Mines and Minerals Act and Exploration Regulation that the directive references.
Exploration Restricted Areas
Certain lands in Alberta have seismic operational restrictions.
Oil Sands Exploration
ESRD has the mandate to approve and regulate the use of public
land for oil sands exploration within the province of Alberta under the following legislations:
Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
The “Code of Practice for Exploration Operation” is made
pursuant to this act. Reclamation and Reclamation Certificates are regulated through this.
Public Lands Act
Section 20 of the Act authorizes the use of public land.
The more interesting stuff…
How does ESRD manage exploration on Public Land?
Public land Belongs to all of us!!!
Seismic
Then…
A typical 2D application map.
A typical 3D application map.
2D low impact seismic line
3D low impact seismic lines
2D seismic line
Lines are required to have 200m max line of site.
- Tree avoidance
- Wildlife protection
- Limited impact
Black spruce
Typical mulcher cut line
Mulch must not be greater than 5cm in depth on average.
Watercourse Crossings (river, creeks, etc)
Water Body Crossings (lakes, ponds, etc)
White spruce
Pine to black spruce
Upland to lowland
Damaged tree
Seismic in a cutblock
Hand cut line
Another hand cut line.
Reclamation inspections (Letter of Clearance)
2002 line with minor ATV use.
Built in 2002 and inspected in 2008.
Built in 2002 and inspected in 2008.
Built in 2002 and inspected in 2008.
Built in 2002 and inspected in 2010.
Oil Sands Exploration (OSE)
A typical application map
Promote low impact site construction
Site is small and compact
Built in 2009 and picture taken in 2009.
Built in 2006 and picture taken in 2008.
Typical access road (6-8m)
Reclamation inspections (Reclamation Certificate)
End land use – grazing, habitat, forestry, etc.
Trembling aspen site
White spruce and aspen regeneration.
Jack pine and aspen site
Black spruce site
Thanks!!
Questions??