The pilot allows for partial reclamation of some well sites
The Reduced Well Site Pilot program is now being administered by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. The program is designed to allow well site operators to apply for a reclamation certificate for a portion of their well site, with landowner consent. The pilot program will allow for up to 100 sites to be enrolled and will end on September 18, 2025.
Several eligibility requirements must be met to participate in the program:
- Minimum disturbance well leases on private land only.
- Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) must have been completed within the last 12 months of the application submission. The Phase 1 ESA must not trigger a Phase 2 ESA.
- Follows 2010 Reclamation Criteria: vegetation and landscape assessments were completed within the last 12 months and soils assessments completed within the last three years of the application submission.
- No variances within the application are allowed.
- No contamination or suspected contamination allowed, on or off the well lease.
This pilot program is enabled by s.138(4) of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and is designed to be voluntary for landowners. Further details regarding landowner consent are available on the Information for Landowners fact sheet.
There are some considerations worth noting for landowners interested in participating, including:
- Following the completion of the partial reclamation, companies may request a review of compensation under the Surface Rights Act to reduce surface lease payments to landowners.
- The pilot program does not change the legal authority of surface lease agreements between landowners and operators under the Surface Rights Act.
- Landowners are not obligated to participate in this pilot to continue receiving compensation for their surface lease.
The RMA plans to monitor the progress and the outcomes of the wellsite reduction pilot program to determine if and to what extent it impacts participating landowners and companies. RMA is concerned that the pilot may allow companies to reduce their surface rights obligations and improve their liability management rating without conducting any meaningful closure or reclamation work. On the other hand, the pilot could lead to the return of land to property owners for other purposes. Before any decisions on creating a permanent partial reduction program RMA expects that the Government of Alberta will conduct a thorough analysis of the impacts of the pilot on landowners and companies.
More information on the Reduced Well Site Pilot program is available on the pilot program fact sheet. Any landowners with specific questions or concerns can contact the Farmer’s Advocate Office.
Bezawit Lemma
Policy & Research Analyst
825.319.2280
bezawit@rmalberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com