Targeting weeds on oil and gas sites

The new Oil and Gas Conservation Regulation under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act will provide the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) with the ability to hold companies accountable for controlling weeds and agricultural pests on their sites. For sites that do not have a responsible owner, the Orphan Well Association will be responsible for conducting required weed and pest control.

Under the regulation, the AER now has the authority to enforce the requirement that oil and gas companies conduct weed or pest control. Municipal weed inspectors will be able to notify the AER and trigger compliance activity.

The regulator can then take steps under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act and use tools available in the Responsible Energy Development Act to direct companies to conduct the necessary weed and pest control as part of the “reasonable care and measures” requirements under the law.

“Weed and pest control is an important issue for Alberta’s farmers that previous governments failed to address. These new rules will help ensure companies uphold their responsibilities to the landowners that host the oil and gas industry on their lands.”

Brian Jean, Minister of Energy and Minerals
 
“Agriculture is essential to Alberta’s success. Protecting our farmland from weeds and pests is critical, and that includes responsible management on oil and gas sites. By working together, we can make sure both sectors thrive. These updates help ensure clear expectations, stronger compliance and better outcomes across the province.”

R. J. Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation
 
“The Farmers’ and Property Rights Advocate Office welcomes additional supports for rural landowners in helping them effectively manage weed and pest control challenges associated with oil and gas infrastructure on agricultural lands. Leveraging the existing compliance and enforcement tools of the Alberta Energy Regulator will allow farmers and ranchers to realize increased crop yields while lowering operational costs related to critical vegetation management efforts.”