This update introduces clarifications related to dam safety, groundwater monitoring and overall regulatory guidance for saline fluid storage facilities.
DATE ISSUED: April 7, 2026
EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately
This update introduces clarifications related to dam safety, groundwater monitoring and overall regulatory guidance for saline fluid storage facilities.
The BC Energy Regulator (BCER) has updated the Management of Saline Fluids for Hydraulic Fracturing Guideline to improve clarity, consistency and regulatory precision in the management of produced water and other saline fluid storage, transfer, monitoring and reporting. These revisions reflect ongoing efforts to enhance regulatory guidance and support safe and environmentally responsible operations.
Key updates include:
• Dam Safety considerations clarified: The guideline now more clearly articulates expectations for storage facilities that incorporate live storage. Expectations for design, review, monitoring and documentation associated with these structures have been formatted to align with regulatory requirements and to improve consistency with related BCER guidance.
• Groundwater monitoring expectations enhanced: The groundwater monitoring section and associated appendix have been refined to describe minimum monitoring well configurations, sampling parameters and reporting expectations. Clarifications ensure permit holders understand monitoring network layout, frequency and documentation consistent with best practice and regulatory expectations.
• General guidance structure: In the interest of clarity, the structure of the guidance has changed to reflect two distinct scenarios for produced water storage--volumes less than 6600m3 and storage volumes larger than 6600m3
If you have any questions regarding this Information Update, please contact:
Sean Babulic, P. Eng.,
Manager, Environmental Support
BC Energy Regulator
250-883-4958