Energy companies must apply for our approval to begin an energy development project or activity in Alberta. Every year, we receive about 40 000 applications, including everything from requests to access a parcel of land, to requests to drill a well, to requests to build a pipeline. Regardless of the request, we share applications with Albertans and encourage public participation in our decision making.
We are moving towards a single-system, one-stop approach for processing applications, which will change the way companies submit applications to us. Visit our Integrated Decision Approach page to learn more.
Improving Our Application Processes and Timelines
Energy developments are complex, and the process a company must follow will vary based on the type of project or activity it is proposing.
We continually evaluate and update processing times as we improve efficiency in our application review processes. This is done without affecting public involvement or the protection of public safety and the environment.
The following graph shows how we’re performing against our targets. For details on each application type, see the full applications timelines report. [Tableau]
Each application is reviewed to ensure our technical experts have the information they need to make a decision on the application within our estimated timelines.
We make every effort to process applications within our estimated times—and in most cases we do. However, in some cases it might take longer to review an application because the development is complex or because of factors beyond our control, such as incomplete applications or stakeholder or indigenous consultation requirements that have not been met.
Learn more by selecting one of our application processes.
| Application Process | Description |
|---|---|
| Concurrent Production (CCP) | When a company begins to produce resources from a hydrocarbon pool, we expect it to produce without drawing down the gas in the gas-cap area. This caution must be taken until the company determines that the oil recovery will not result in wasted resources. |
| Directive 060 Nonroutine Flaring and Excess Volume | Companies may submit an application requesting a variance from the requirements identified in Directive 060: Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring, Incinerating, and Venting if they have sufficient justification to support the request. |
| Enhanced Recovery | Companies may apply for enhanced recovery (ER) for a number of reasons. They might want to maximize their ultimate recovery or alter their reservoir fluid consistency or composition to promote resource flow to producers. |
| Environmental Impact Assessment Reports | Some project applications submitted to us will require environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports to be submitted along with them. |
| Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and Water Act Application Projects | We review applications for energy projects that fall under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) or the Water Act (WA). Some applications will require environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports to be submitted along with the applications. Learn more about the EPEA legislation and WA legislation. |
| Formal Disposition Renewal and Amendment/Renewal | We review formal disposition renewal and amendment applications alongside Alberta Environment and Parks under the Public Lands Act. |
| Gas-Oil Ratio (GOR) Penalty Relief | Companies must use the gas-oil ratio (GOR) to help monitor and conserve oil and gas resources. The GOR is a measure of the relative volumes of gas and oil produced from hydrocarbon pools. With our approval, a company can gather enough information to make an informed decision on the optimal strategy to exploit a hydrocarbon pool. |
| Geophysical (Seismic) Exploration Programs | We regulate geophysical (seismic) exploration activities alongside Alberta Environment and Parks on both public and private lands under the following legislation: |
| Good Production Practice | Pools with good production practice (GPP) status can be produced unrestricted by rate limitations or gas-oil ratio (GOR) penalties. We expect hydrocarbon pools with GPP status to be operated using good engineering practices to produce their wells and optimize oil recovery. |
| In Situ Oil Sands Authorizations | We divide in situ oil sands applications under the Oil Sands Conservation Act into four application types. |
Listening to Concerns
If someone believes that they will be directly or adversely affected by a proposed project, they have a right to be heard by the AER. We share project applications on our Public Notice of Application page for 30 days (unless otherwise specified), which helps anyone who is concerned about a project find and understand the development plans.
We encourage anyone with concerns to submit a statement of concern for us to consider during our review of the application. If the statement of concern is relevant, complete, and submitted on time, we will consider the concerns while we decide to approve or reject the company’s application.
If we’ve already made a decision on an application, and someone believes that they may be directly and adversely affected by this decision, they may be qualified to request an appeal of our decision. Learn more about our regulatory appeal process.
Application Legislation
Provincial legislation, including the Mines and Minerals Act, Public Lands Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, and Water Act, shapes our requirements and approval processes. Learn more about these acts and what we regulate under them.
Unpaid Municipal Taxes
* As per Bulletin 2024-22 evidence includes a letter signed by the Chief Administrative Officer of the municipality on the municipality’s letterhead or a valid tax certificate. For well transfer applications where the transferor exceeds the threshold, the evidence includes a letter signed by a director or an officer of the company containing a verbatim citation of the condition within the purchase and sale agreement showing payment of municipal taxes owed as a condition of the purchase and sale agreement with the transferee.
** Each application submitted will follow normal application process and timelines (which may include additional SIRs and conditions where applicable).
The Statement of Concern (SOC) Process Q&As
Q1: Should I file a statement of concern (SOC) if I know an applicant does not meet the requirements outlined in Bulletin 2023-22?
Any stakeholder that has specific concerns regarding a company’s proposed energy development may submit an SOC. For an SOC to be considered, it must relate to an active application currently before the AER. Since all new well licence and well licence transfer applications will be assessed in accordance with Ministerial Order 043/ 2023 and Bulletin 2023-22, applications that fail to meet the set criteria will be closed and no longer considered active. This will result in the subsequent closure of any
associated SOCs to that application.
Q2: What happens if I have concerns regarding an applicant whose municipal tax arrears are below the threshold?
If you have specific concerns about a company’s unpaid taxes, regardless of the threshold, you may submit a statement of concern (SOC). If your SOC is relevant, complete and submitted on time, the AER will take the concerns into consideration when reviewing the company's application. An SOC should clearly and concisely describe how you would be directly and adversely affected by the approval of the proposed activity, the nature of your objection, and the outcome you seek.
For more information about the SOC process, visit our Statement of Concern page.
