Oil sands acts and regulations

Legislation and the approval process for the responsible development of Alberta oil sands are explained.

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Acts and regulations

Table 1. Oil sands acts and regulations (available on the Open Government website)

Title Chapter Description

Mines and Minerals Act

Chapter M-17

This act governs the management and disposition of rights in Crown-owned minerals. It includes the levying and collecting of bonuses, rental and royalties. (Administration of portions of this act is shared with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas.)

Mines and Minerals Administration Regulation

A.R. 262/97

 

Mines and Minerals Dispute Resolution Regulation

A.R. 170/2015

This replaced the Oil Sands Dispute Resolution Regulation, which was repealed on November 30, 2015.

Oil Sands Tenure Regulation, 2020

A.R. 92/2020

This replaced the Oil Sands Tenure Regulation, 2010, which was repealed on December 1, 2020.

Oil Sands Royalty Regulation, 2009

A.R. 223/2008

 

Oil Sands Royalty Regulation, 1997

A.R. 185/97

 

Oil Sands Allowed Costs (Ministerial) Regulation

A.R. 231/2008

 

Bitumen Valuation Methodology (Ministerial) Regulation

A.R. 232/2008

 

Petroleum Royalty Regulation, 2009

A.R. 222/2008

 

Oil Sands Conservation Act

Chapter O-7

This act establishes regulations and approvals for the development of oil sands resources and related facilities in Alberta. It is administered by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).

Oil Sands Conservation Rules

A.R. 76/88

 

Government Organization Act

A.R. 44/2001

Under this act, the responsibility for certain enactments was transferred to the Minister of Energy and Minerals.

Exploration Regulation

A.R. 284/2006

 

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Chapter F-25

 

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Regulation

A.R. 186/2008

 

Natural Gas Royalty Regulation, 2009

Section 1(1)(zz) and Section 13

Portions of this regulation apply to oil sands solution gas, administered by the AER.

Regulatory processes

Alberta's oil sands are the fourth-largest proven crude oil reserves in the world. For potential developers and producers new to the development of oil sands in Alberta, there are regulatory procedures to:

  • acquire an agreement from the Crown
  • start the development process

The following guide explains the regulatory processes you must follow to ensure responsible development of Alberta’s oil sands: Introduction to Oil Sands Regulatory Processes.

Overview

It is important to understand each of the following steps:

  1. An Electronic Transfer System (ETS) account must be set up to begin extracting Alberta’s oil sands.
  2. Acquiring an agreement. You must purchase an agreement.
  3. Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). You must acquire approval from the AER.
  4. Apply with Alberta Energy and Minerals if you want an oil sands royalty (OSR) project (this is optional). If you apply for an OSR project you must obtain project approval.
  5. You must comply with the department’s reporting and royalty payment requirements.

Contact

Connect with Oil Sands, Coal and Mineral Operations:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

Email:
Oil Sands Royalty Project Applications and Compliance [email protected]
Oil Sands Royalty Administration [email protected]
Oil Sands Royalty Information Management [email protected]
Oil Sands Tenure [email protected]

Mailing Address:
Alberta Energy and Minerals
Oil Sands, Coal and Mineral Operations
6th floor, Petroleum Plaza, North Tower
9945 108 Street
Edmonton Alberta  T5K 2G6