Industry Zone
Rules, Regulations, Requirements


Control Well Requirements

Effective October 31, 2006 data requirements for gas production from coalbed methane and shale gas wells must be met, as per the Oil and Gas Conservation Regulations. Any questions pertaining to information presented on this page or linked from this page can be directed to controlwells@ercb.ca

For companies preparing a self-disclosure for the non-compliance with respect to control well obligations, this CBM Excel spreadsheet  or the Shale Gas Excel spreadsheet must be used in conjunction with completing the requirements of Section 6 of Directive 019: EUB Compliance Assurance-Enforcement.

CBM and Shale Gas Control Well Information

CBM Pressure and Flow Control Wells [excel file]  (Updated file will be available weekly)
CBM Desorption Control Wells [excel file] (Updated file will be available weekly)
Shale Gas Desorption Control Wells [excel file]

Control Well Forms 

Shale Gas Desorption Control Well Form (Updated: June 11, 2008)
Shale Gas Pressure and Flow Control Well Form (Updated: June 11, 2008)
Resources Applications - Schedule 1 (April 29, 2008)

Page Last Updated: June 10, 2010




Directive 062 Stakeholder Feedback and ERCB Response

Control Wells Q&A - updated January 28, 2010

Criteria for Designating CBM Pools [PDF]

Related Directives

Directive 062: Coalbed Methane Control Well Requirements and Related Matters (Revised edition released: January 28, 2010)

Directive 040Pressure and Deliverability Testing Oil and Gas Wells - Minimum Requirements and Recommended Practices

Directive 044: Requirements for the Surveillance, Sampling, and Analysis of Water Production in Oil and Gas Wells Completed Above the Base of Groudwater Protection

Bulletins (the following bulletins provide background)

Bulletin 2011-36
Change to Pressure Testing Requirements for Coalbed Methane Pressure and Flow Control Wells (Released: December 21, 2011)

Bulletin 2008-36
Electronic Submission of Applications for Exceptions to Coalbed Methane (CBM) Control Well Requirements (Released: September 24, 2008)

Bulletin 2008-26
Electronic Submission of Applications for Coalbed Methane (CBM) Control Well Designations (Released: June 11, 2008)

Bulletin 2008-23
Consolidation of Upper Horseshoe Canyon Coal Zones for CBM (Released: May 15, 2008)

Bulletin 2008-20
Announcing Directive 062 and revision to ST105 (Released: April 29, 2008)