Closing Sites

Closing sites starts and ends with safety and environmental responsibility.

Orphan sites are safely and permanently decommissioned, or dismantled, and the land is returned to a similar state as before the oil and gas development took place. Once regulatory requirements are met, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) issues a reclamation certificate and the site is considered closed. 

How a Site is Closed

Closing a site -- so it returns to a similar state as before oil and gas development took place --takes several steps that can take years. Sites typically move from our decommissioning inventory to our reclamation inventory until all provincial reclamation requirements are met, and the AER issues a reclamation certificate. Once the certificate is issued, the site is considered closed

Sites at Risk

Before a site is designated an orphan, and even before an insolvency process begins, the AER and OWA can become involved, if necessary.

Designating an Orphan

The OWA only closes sites that have been designated as orphans by the AER. Not all sites of defunct operators are orphaned.

Who Closes a Defunct Site?

Orphans, WIPs and WIPAs

Decommissioning

Wells, pipelines and facilities are permanently decommissioned, or dismantled, and left in a safe condition, with no risk to the public or environment.

Reclamation

Reclamation returns the land similar to its original state.

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