Oil and Gas Activities Act (OGAA)
Since 2001, the oil and gas industry has become a major force in British Columbia’s economy, employing tens of thousands of people and helping to fuel the province’s strong economic performance.
Through the release of the BC Energy Plan on February 27, 2007, government announced that it envisaged enhancements to the regulatory framework which governs oil and gas activities. Such improvements would enable continued growth in the oil and sector while ensuring such expansion is environmentally and socially responsible. The Oil and Gas Activities Act (OGAA) is an important outcome of this vision.
OGAA: A Product of Consultation
The Oil and Gas Activities Act reflects the considerable consultation that had taken place, commencing in 2002, through the Oil and Gas Regulatory Improvement Initiative (OGRII). Through the OGRII project, communities, local governments, First Nations, landowners, environmental organizations, industry associations and companies provided comments and recommendations to the Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (MEMPR) about the regulatory improvements the Commission and government should consider and potentially implement.
In response to engagement and consultations completed under the OGRII project, the government directed that a contemporary legislative framework be developed to govern oil and gas activities in British Columbia. This framework is based on the following three core goals:
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a thriving and innovative oil and gas industry that supports jobs, fuels the economy and provides revenue to sustain public services;
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environmentally responsible oil and gas development that maintains the highest standards of environmental protection; and
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socially responsible development and protection of the public’s safety and interests.
Through 2007 and into early 2008, Commission and ministry staff engaged in developing new legislation integrating these three objectives. This resulted in the Oil and Gas Activities Act (OGAA), which the government passed in May 2008.
Bringing OGAA Into Effect
OGAA will be brought into effect when new and updated regulations supporting the new Act have been completed.
Developing the supporting regulations requires direct engagement with affected parties. These include First Nations, local governments, industry associations, environmental organizations, and landowner and land use groups. Developing the regulatory requirements also requires a high level of engagement and collaboration between the OGC, MEMPR and government agencies, in particular the Ministries of Agriculture and Lands, Environment and Forests and Range.
The current regulatory framework, which will continue to govern oil and gas activities until the Oil and Gas Activities Act is brought into effect, is comprised of the following statutes:
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the Oil and Gas Commission Act (the OGC Act);
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regulatory components of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act (the P&NG Act);
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the Pipeline Act; and
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six non-oil-and-gas “specified enactment” statutes defined in the OGC Act.
Supporting Regulations to be Completed
The principle regulations that will support the OGAA are:
OGC Board Approved
- Drilling and Production Regulation (updated existing regulation)
- Geophysical Exploration Regulation (updated existing regulation)
- Pipeline and Facilities Regulation
- Oil and Gas Road Regulation
- Emergency Response Plan Regulatiion
- Consultation and Notification Regulation
Lieutenant Governor-in-Council (LGiC) Approved
- Environmental Protection and Management Regulation
- Administrative Penalties Regulation
The final configuration of regulations may change; one or more of the above regulations may be combined to create more cohesive regulatory package.
OGAA Information Sessions (Fall ’09)
The OGAA Information Sessions (Fall ’09) will raise awareness of the OGAA and Regulations with leadership, management and practitioners who plan, explore, develop, construct and operate oil and gas activities in BC. The sessions will explain what is new and changing with the implementation of OGAA – focusing on the Act, concepts and policy in the Regulations that are being drafted. The sessions will also provide information on the plans and timeframes for implementing OGAA including the training and support plan.
Schedule
Registration is required prior to each session – no on-site registration will be available.
|
DATE & TIME |
LOCATION |
AUDIENCE |
SESSION
INFORMATION |
REGISTRATION
Click below on "Deadline" to register. |
|
October 15, 2009
8:30 am – 4:30 pm |
Fort St. John
Pomeroy Hotel
11308 Alaska Road |
· Oil and Gas Commission
· Other government agencies |
 Oct 15 information |
DEADLINE: Oct. 7, 2009
|
|
October 21, 2009
10:00 am – 2:30 pm |
Calgary
Hyatt Regency
Walker/ Bannerman Room
700 Centre Street SE |
· Oil and Gas industry executives – presidents, vice-presidents and leaders
This session is being sponsored by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers specifically for their members and others who have been specifically invited. |
Oct 21 information |
DEADLINE: Oct. 15, 2009
|
|
October 22, 2009
8:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Calgary
Calgary Telus Convention Centre
1209th Avenue SE |
· Practitioners - who plan, develop, construct and/or operate geophysical, wells, facilities and pipelines
· Industry associations |
Oct 22 information |
DEADLINE: Oct. 15, 2009
|
|
November 2, 2009
8:30 am – 4:30 pm |
Victoria
Ambrosia Conference and Event Centre
638 Fisgard Street |
· BC government ministries – Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Environment, Forests and Range and Agriculture and Lands
· Oil and Gas Commission |
Nov 2 information |
DEADLINE: Oct. 26, 2009
|
|
November 4, 2009
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
|
Fort St. John
Pomeroy Hotel
11308 Alaska Road |
· Practitioners - who plan, develop, construct and/or operate geophysical, wells, facilities and pipelines
· Industry associations |
Nov 4 information |
DEADLINE: Oct. 30, 2009
*Deadline extended.* |
OGAA Pre-Implementation Training (Spring ’10)
The OGAA Pre-Implementation Training (Spring ’10) will build on information presented in the OGAA Information Sessions (Fall ’09). It will contain comprehensive training including information on all the regulations and provide opportunities for participants to deepen, clarify and apply their understanding of the OGAA regulatory requirements. This comprehensive training will be delivered in the spring of 2010 prior to the implementation of the Act and Regulations which is targeted for April 30, 2010. Further information on this training will be posted to this website.
OGAA Information Sessions (Spring ’10)
Information sessions for private land owners, members of the Public, First Nations and other stakeholders are planned for Spring 2010. Further information on these sessions will be posted to this website early 2010.
New! Frequently Asked Questions
Please check this website and the OGC website in the future for updates and information about upcoming events.
Contacts
British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission
Ben Mitchell-Banks, Executive Director, OGAA Implementation Team - FSJ
(250) 261-5705
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Mike Lambert, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives
(250) 356-1307
Krishna Klear, Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives
(250) 387-5193
