Submissions Due

This report lists upcoming and past due well data submissions.

Please note in certain circumstances, such as exemptions and deferrals, due dates may not be accurate. If there are inconsistencies between the due dates given in this report and timelines outlined in the relevant legislation or formal correspondence with the BCER, the latter takes precedence.

This pilot project focuses on submissions related to drilling, well operations, reservoir engineering and geology.

Inspections

Our inspection teams visit the various oil and gas sites across B.C. and compare what they find to what is required by regulation or permit conditions. Where inspections identify an area of concern, the permit holder is notified of the deficiency. This may result in Enforcement Action, if not corrected.

The findings of these inspections are posted regularly.

Tickets

The BC Energy Regulator has regulatory responsibility and can issue tickets under the authority of various provincial acts, including the Water Sustainability Act and the Environmental Management Act.

Warnings

In some circumstances, the BCER may issue a warning in response to a non-compliance. Warning Letters record the non-compliance and warn of a possible escalated enforcement response if the non-compliance continues.

Warning Letter

Orders

The BCER can issue orders for activities and obligations under the Act to mitigate a risk to public safety, protect the environment, or to promote the conservation of petroleum and natural resources. The order specifies what action must be taken, stopped or modified by the permit holder and includes the date by which they must comply.

If a permit holder is unable or unwilling to comply with the requirements of the original Order (Section 49), the BCER may complete the work on its behalf and bill the permit holder for the costs. This is done through issuance of a specific order (Section 50(1)) allowing the BCER to take over the requirements and legally restricting the permit holder from conducting the work.

Enforcement Order

Administrative Penalties

After an investigation, the BCER may make a finding of contravention and may impose an administrative penalty. The decision may be reviewed or appealed by the non-compliant party.

Reviews and Appeals

Once an order, contravention determination, and/or administrative penalty has been imposed, there is a right to request a review or an appeal. Requests for review or appeal must be made in writing within 30 days of receiving notification of decision and must identify the grounds upon which the review or appeal is being requested.

A person cannot request both a review and an appeal at the same time. Review requests are submitted to the BCER to a designated official who then reviews the decision and determines whether to uphold, vary or rescind the previous decision. Review decisions made since 2023 that relate to compliance and enforcement decisions (an order made under Division 2 of Part 5 of ERAA, a contravention decision, and/or an administrative penalty) are posted publicly.

Reviews and Appeals

Please contact determinationreviews@bc-er.ca if you would like information regarding other review decisions made by the BCER.

Appeals are submitted and managed through the Energy Resource Appeal Tribunal (ERAT), a specialized quasi-judicial agency established under ERAA. ERAT members hold an oral or written hearing to allow parties to present their evidence and then issue a written decision. ERAT decisions are summarized and made available online.

Enforcement Actions issued by the BCER prior to April 1, 2017 are available as quarterly summary reports.

Questions regarding the BCER enforcement actions may be directed to C&E@bc-er.ca.

Annual Compliance Plan Reports

See previous reports