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 |
|---|---|
| Requesting a Delay for the Start of a New Oil Well Production Period (NOWPP) | A company with new oil wells can produce and gather production data for pool development in a new oil well production period (NOWPP). Companies use the data gathered during this test period for economic evaluation, and sizing of equipment to tie in to a new oil battery. |
| Right-of-Entry Order Replacements on Public Lands Process | To replace constructed oil and gas sites on Alberta public lands that were previously entered under a right-of-entry (ROE) order from the Land and Property Rights Tribunal, companies must apply to us for a ROE replacement. We treat these replacements as new applications. |
| Routine Authorizations | Companies must submit applications for wells, facilities, and pipelines under Directive 056: Energy Development Applications and Schedules when they are able to demonstrate that it will comply with our regulatory requirements there are no outstanding concerns or objections, and a relaxation of regulatory requirements is not requested. |
| Short-Term Gas Injection | Companies may require short-term gas injection during a plant turnaround or another defined outage. |
| Short-Term Gas Removal Permits | The Gas Resources Preservation Act gives us the authority to regulate natural gas removal in Alberta. We assign gas removal permits to companies to control the amount of gas leaving the province. This ensures that Albertans have an adequate supply of gas to support their needs. Companies must apply for a permit to remove natural gas or ethane under section 2 of the act. |
| Special MRL | The base maximum rate limitation (MRL) is the maximum rate of production for an oil pool when production is not reduced by gas-oil ratio or off-target penalties. When the pool’s production capacity is much higher than the assessed MRL, we may approve a fixed-term special MRL. |
| Special Well Spacing | We regulate well spacing to promote resource conservation. Our requirements affect how many wells can be placed within a defined pool or formation. They are also used to set a well's target area. In addition to ensuring orderly and efficient development, these requirements also help protect equity among mineral rights owners. |
| Sublease Consent | Under section 43(1) of the Public Lands Act, companies must obtain our written consent to sublease land that is under disposition. After we’ve approved the application, the consent and agreement will be registered in our records as a private surface agreement. This application is made under sections 13 and 146 of the Public Lands Administration Regulation. |
| Temporary Field Authorizations | As of August 2019, most temporary field authorizations issued by the AER are now called regulator temporary field authorizations, and the disposition code has changed from TFA to RTF, except for geophysical exploration and certain oilsands exploration and coal exploration activities that are not in OneStop. |
| Temporary Injection | Companies usually make a request for temporary injection before starting construction on permanent injection lines. Temporary injection is used to determine the injection capacity of a well when there is uncertainty. It is also used for emergency situations, such as plant shut downs, when pipeline fluids must be temporarily stored. Temporary injection is a short-term (typically three months) well injection period. Fluids such as produced water are often injected. |
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.
