Alberta Tests Novel Approach to Shale Governance

摘要

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is looking at managing shale oil and gas development by play - rather than by project - saying it could lead to better tracking of the cumulative impacts from drilling. Currently, the agency regulates each component of development in the oil-rich province, such as well drilling or pipeline construction, through a separate application and review (OD Jun.17'16). But the regulator is looking at "play-based regulation" that would condense things into a single, sweeping action for a specific formation.