WHEREAS there needs to be a review and evaluation of current regulatory and non-regulatory requirements and practices for new sour gas wells, pipelines and facilities as it relates to minimum setbacks in close proximity to permanent dwellings, unrestricted country development, a public facility or urban centre;AND WHEREAS there needs to be a review and assessment of the public health and safety related requirements that are currently being applied to the approval, development and operation of facilities respecting sour gas natural resources;AND WHEREAS there needs to be a review and assessment in monitoring the amount of gas emissions being released into the air from sour gas wells, facilities, and sour crude oil;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties request that the Minister of Resource Development undertake a complete review in addressing further setback requirements from permanent dwellings, unrestricted country development, public facilities or urban centres, and the monitoring of emissions being released in the air from sour gas wells, facilities, and sour crude oil.

Excerpt quotes are from the following:EUB – General Bulletin GB 99-4Sour Gas Setback DistancesEUB setback requirements for sour gas pipelines and facilities are detailed in EUB Interim Directive (ID) 81-3, and for sour wells in ID 97-6. The following recommendations are based on these directives. For more information on sour gas requirements for the petroleum industry, see the interim directives. Descriptions of the four development classifications referred to in the setback recommendations are in the section titled “Definitions” of this document.Sour Wells, Level 1The minimum recommended setback distance to “permanent dwelling”, “unrestricted country development”, “public facility” or “urban centre” is the edge of the pipeline right of way, or the edge of the facility lease boundary. Sour Pipelines and Facilities, Level 1The minimum recommended setback distance to “permanent dwelling”, unrestricted country development”, “public facility” or “urban centre” is the edge of the pipeline right of way, or the edge of the facility lease boundary.Sour Wells, Pipelines and Facilities, Level 2The minimum recommended setback distance to “permanent dwelling” or “unrestricted country development” is 100 metres(4).(4) The 100-metre setback distance to “permanent dwelling” is an absolute minimum distance. The EUB would expect the actual separation distance for any high H2S release rate well (particularly for levels 3 and 4) would be at least 3 to 4 times the minimum distance.The minimum recommended setback distance to “public facility” or “urban centre” is 500 metres.Sour Wells, Pipelines and Facilities, Level 3The minimum recommended setback distance to “permanent dwelling” is 100 metres(4).(4) The 100-metre setback distance to “permanent dwelling” is an absolute minimum distance. The EUB would expect the actual separation distance for any high H2S release rate well (particularly for levels 3 and 4) would be at least 3 to 4 times the minimum distance.The minimum recommended setback distance to “unrestricted country development” is 500 metres.The minimum recommended setback distance to “public facility” or “urban centre” is 1500 metres.Sour Wells, Pipelines and Facilities, Level 4As specified by the EUB but not less than level 3.SEARCH AREA RECOMMENDATIONSThe following recommendations are based on both EUB minimum setback recommendations and the probable type of land development being planned. For descriptions of the various development classifications referred to here, please see the section titled “Definitions” of this document.Permanent Dwelling For wells, we recommend examining the parcel slated for development and one legal subdivision surrounding the parcel (a legal subdivision – LSD – is approximately 400 metres). Noted that if EUB records, indicate no level 3 or 4 sour wells in the vicinity, the search area could be reduced to 100 metres. For pipelines, we recommend examining the parcel slated for development and a 200 metre area surrounding the parcel. For gas plants, batteries and compressors, we recommend examining the parcel slated for development and a 100 metre area surrounding the parcel. For coal mines, electrical transmission lines and communications cables, as a minimum we recommend examining the parcel slated for development.Unrestricted Country Development For wells, we recommend examining the parcel slated for development and a 500 metre area surrounding the parcel. Note that if EUB records indicate no level 3 or 4 sour wells in the vicinity, the search area could be reduced to 100 metres. For pipelines and gas plants, we recommend examining the parcel slated for development and a 500 metre area surrounding the parcel. For batteries and compressors, we recommend examining the parcel slated for development and a 100 metre area surrounding the parcel. For coal mines, electrical transmission lines and communications cables, as a minimum we recommend examining the parcel slated for development.Urban Centre or Public Facility For wells, we recommend examining the parcel slated for development and a 1,500 metre area surrounding the parcel (a section is approximately 1,600 metres). Note that if EUB records indicate no level 2, 3 or 4 sour wells in the vicinity, the search area could be reduced to 100 metres. For pipelines and gas plants, we recommend examining the parcel slated for development and a 1500 metre area surrounding the parcel. For batteries and compressors, we recommend examining the parcel slated for development and a 100 metre area surrounding the parcel. For coal mines, electrical transmission lines and communications cables, as a minimum we recommend examining the parcel slated for development.