The BC Orphan Site Reclamation Fund aims to restore orphan sites within 10 years of their designation.
The four primary program areas of focus during Fiscal 2020/21 (Peace
Region, Del Rio, Kotcho, and Beaver River) were selected to build on
significant progress from past years in achieving area closure, to
capitalize on an opportunity to access an aging remote area, or to
protect public safety and the environment by decommissioning
high-priority wells and pipeline deactivations on new designations.
515 sites were worked on during the 2020/21 Fiscal Year.
Where We Were Working in 2020/21
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Beaver River
A race against the clock to decommission and investigate 7 remote sites.
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Kotcho
Moving a cluster of sites with deteriorating access through to reclamation.
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Peace Region
Large scale decommissioning and investigation programs predominantly on private land.
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Del Rio
17 new sites now considered reclaimed, and a further 20 that much closer.
Read More >
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Beaver River
A race against the clock to decommission and investigate 7 remote sites.
Read More >
-
Kotcho
Moving a cluster of sites with deteriorating access through to reclamation.
Read More >
-
Peace Region
Large scale decommissioning and investigation programs predominantly on private land.
Read More >
-
Del Rio
17 new sites now considered reclaimed, and a further 20 that much closer.
Read More >
How We're Doing
Status of restoration work
2020/21 Total Budget and Expenditures
The orphan funding comprised of $15.0 million in Federal funding, and approximately $27.7 million in levies and on-hand security. Approximately $13.9 million in security was transferred to the Orphan Fund as a result of the orphan designation of Norcan Energy Corporation and Predator Oil BC Ltd.
Expenditure Breakdown
| Workstream | # of Sites Worked On | Total |
| Deactivation* | 185 | $2,823,070.60 |
| Well Decommissioning | 106 | $18,641,870.00 |
| Site Decommissioning** | 100 | $7,838,183.00 |
| Investigation | 120 | $3,330,521.00 |
| Remediation | 21 | $6,358,572.00 |
| Reclamation | 70 | $2,810,372.00 |
| Maintenance | 227 | $985,780.15 |
| Land owner Compensation | - | $2,154,085.10 |
| General Orphan Expenditures | - | $35,741.67 |
| TOTAL | $44,978,195.52 |
* Deactivation also included safe stating.
** Site decommissioning included sites requiring deactivation and decommissioning, or just decommissioning.
Respecting Those Impacted by Orphan Sites
Restoration Partnerships with Indigenous Communities
The Regulator has been working with local Indigenous communities to restore eight sites as part of a pilot project jointly funded by the Orphan Sites Reclamation Fund and the BC Oil and Gas Research and Innovation Society. Through these initiatives, ongoing working relationships have been established with Indigenous service providers.
Land owner Compensation
$2,154,085 was paid in compensation to 138 different land owners for owed surface lease rental payments during 2020/21.
Maintenance
$985,780 was spent on maintenance in 2020/21. This included pump-off of standing water, road and access repair, and noxious weed control.