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Bulletin 2009-45

December 16, 2009

New ERCB Directive 076: Operator Declaration Regarding Measurement and Reporting Requirements

The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) announces the release of Directive 076: Operator Declaration Regarding Measurement and Reporting Requirements, with an effective date of January 4, 2010.

This directive sets out the new requirements of the Enhanced Production Audit Program (EPAP), whereby operators are to declare the degree to which they have infrastructure in place to ensure compliance with ERCB measurement and reporting requirements. It does not include requirements on how the volumes are to be measured or reported to the ERCB; these requirements are described in other directives, principally Directive 007: Volumetric and Infrastructure Requirements and Directive 017: Measurement Requirements for Upstream Oil and Gas Operations.

Directive 076 applies to all operators subject to ERCB measurement and reporting requirements and reporting to the Petroleum Registry of Alberta. It pertains to conventional oil, heavy oil, crude bitumen, and natural gas facilities. It does not apply to mineable oil sands.

This directive and EPAP were developed and refined with extensive input from operators, with over 100 suggestions coming from a stakeholder committee and the public consultation process.

The ERCB will allow a one-year phase-in period (2010), during which the new requirements will not be enforced. This period will allow operators and ERCB staff to prepare for the first declaration period associated with the new requirements. The ERCB expects operators to take the necessary steps to comply with the new requirements during this time. The ERCB will continue to enforce all other ERCB measurement and reporting requirements during the phase-in period.

Directive 076 is available on the ERCB Web site www.ercb.ca under Industry Zone : Rules, Regulations, and Requirements : Directives. It is also available in print from ERCB Information Services, 640 – 5 Avenue SW, main floor; telephone: 403-297-8311; fax: 403-297-7040; e-mail: infoservices@ercb.ca.

Any inquires regarding this bulletin or Directive 076 should be directed to Colby Ruff, Production Operations Section Leader, Field Surveillance and Operations Branch, by telephone at 403-297-4544 or by e-mail at Colby.Ruff@ercb.ca.

<original signed by>

D. D. Waisman, B.E.S., C.E.T.
Executive Manager
Field Surveillance and Operations Branch