The guide provides landowners, tenants and those living near oil and gas developments with the information and tools they need when dealing with the oil and gas industry in Alberta, says lead author Mary Griffiths, an environmental policy analyst with the Pembina Institute. "With hundreds of new oil and gas wells being drilled every week, and the expansion of coalbed methane development, landowners are seeking solid advice they can trust."
The high prices being paid for oil and gas combined with smaller reserves translated into record levels of drilling in 2004. The total number of new wells drilled in Alberta in 2005 is expected to grow by 10% over 2004 figures and to reach about 50 wells a day. New wells are often accompanied by additional roads, pipelines, and processing facilities.
"Many individuals living near new or existing oil and gas developments find themselves overwhelmed by the tight decision timelines, technical nature of the industry, and complexity of the regulatory approval process" says Chris Severson-Baker, co-author of the new edition. "The guide is a unique resource for Albertans. It pulls into one place essential information that landowners need to make sound and informed decisions."
Wherever oil and gas is produced, landowners need guidance on how they will be impacted and what they can do to reduce those impacts. Since the Pembina Institute produced the first edition of the guide, it has been closely replicated in other oil and gas jurisdictions, including Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the NWT and the Yukon. The Oil and Gas Accountability Project of Colorado has published a similar guide for all oil and gas producing areas of the US.
One reviewer said the new edition is "an excellent document . . . concise, detailed, informative and full of reference materials to assist the public in becoming better informed."
The guide offers easy-to-understand information on what to expect at each stage of oil and gas development and describes ways that potential impacts on air, land and water can be minimized. It outlines the most recent government requirements for public consultation and describes new programs for reclamation, public lands and orphan wells, as well as explains the role of various government boards and departments.
The expanded guide includes lists of questions that a landowner can ask a company agent before signing a lease or right-of-way agreement; it also explains how to get help with negotiations. Griffiths believes that, by fully discussing issues before work begins, landowners can reduce the risk of later problems.
The new edition also features
- quick reference charts, glossary and a detailed index
- up-to-date information on government programs, legislation and guides
- new statistics, hyperlinks, maps and photographs
- an extended list of groups and organizations to contact for help
The 172-page guide can be purchased only from the Pembina Institute. Call 780-542-6272 or send an e-mail to riaf@pembina.org for details.
For more information:
Mary Griffiths 780-433-6675
Chris Severson-Baker 403-269-3344 x 101