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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EUB RELEASES WELL-SPACING BULLETIN

Calgary, Alberta (February 1, 2006) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) today released Bulletin 2006-05: Changes to Reservoir-Related Well-Spacing Regulations, Application Requirements, and Application Review Process. This bulletin outlines changes to the EUB's process for filing and assessing well-spacing applications, following extensive public and industry consultation.

Bulletin 2006-05 incorporates input from stakeholders gathered by the EUB following the release of Bulletin 2005-08: Consultation Regarding Proposed Changes to Reservoir-Related Well Spacing Regulations, Application Requirements, and Application Review Process, released March 10, 2005. Bulletin 2005-08 proposed changes to the EUB's subsurface well-spacing regulations and application process.

Changes were proposed in four main areas: notification, higher baseline well densities in certain areas of the province, the introduction of three risk-based application processing models, and automation of the application process.

Three of the proposed changes will be implemented in a phased manner. The fourth, which would have eliminated the need to notify surface rights owners when submitting well-spacing applications, has been revised after reviewing public input. Not only will the notification requirement remain in place, but it has been expanded to include, for information purposes only, all Freehold mineral owners in the surrounding area.

The EUB ensures that the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest.

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This news release, Bulletin 2005-08 and Bulletin 2006-05 are available on the EUB Web site at http://www.ercb.ca

For more information, please contact:

Bob Curran
EUB Communications
Phone: 403-297-3392 Fax: 403-297-3757
Email: bob.curran@gov.ab.ca

NR-2006-04