Archived - COVID-19 Update #4: Follow-up on $1.72 Billion for Orphan and Inactive Wells in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan (updated June 2020)

Original dated May 1st, 2020, updated June 2020

The Government of Canada is providing up to $1.72 Billion to the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, and to the Alberta Orphan Well Association, to clean up orphan and inactive oil and gas infrastructure. IOGC is encouraging First Nations and companies that have inactive infrastructure on First Nation lands to work collaboratively with each other and IOGC to ensure mutual program benefits. IOGC is providing support to First nations and companies to coordinate information but does not have authority over the provincial criteria, eligibility or awarding of funding.

Alberta
The Government of Alberta has initiated the Alberta Site Rehabilitation Program (Program), which will provide grants to perform abandonment and environmental work related to abandonment, remediation, and reclamation on upstream oil and gas inactive infrastructure. Further details on eligibility and application process please visit Site Rehabilitation Program or contact Energy.SRP@gov.ab.ca. There is also a nomination process for First Nations to nominate sites. Please contact IOGC Environment’s Unit below for support or visit Landowner and Indigenous Community Site Nomination for additional information.

British Columbia
The Province of British Columbia has released details on the Dormant Sites Reclamation Program (DSRP) to clean up dormant oil and gas wells. Further details on eligibility and application process please visit Dormant Sites Reclamation Program, by phone at 1-888-268-4319 or by email, DormantSite.BC.Government@gov.bc.ca.

Saskatchewan
The Government of Saskatchewan has launched the Accelerated Site Closure Program (ASCP) to activate $400 million in federal funding for the abandonment and reclamation of inactive oil and gas wells and facilities. For further information about ASCP, companies can view details on the program at Accelerated Site Closure Program, contact the Ministry of Energy and Resources Service Desk at 1-855-219-9373 or ER.servicedesk@gov.sk.ca.

For clarification, the $1.72 Billion funding identified for the closure of orphan and inactive wells is separate from the ongoing work undertaken by provincial orphan well associations.

First Nations and companies working on First Nation lands (on-reserve) with inactive infrastructure are encouraged to contact IOGC’s Environment Unit for assistance and support.