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Bulletin 2009-11

April 9, 2009

Directive 017: Measurement Requirements for Upstream Oil and Gas Operations—Draft of Two New Sections for Stakeholder Review

This directive is being developed in stages, with new sections added as they become available. The first five sections of Directive 017 came into effect on February 1, 2005, Section 6 on May 7, 2007, Sections 7 to 9 on December 5, 2007, and Sections 10 to 11 on February 2, 2009. Sections 12 and 13 will be the next additions to this directive. These draft sections, as listed below, are on the ERCB Web site www.ercb.ca under Industry Zone : Rules, Regulations, and Requirements : Directives.

Section 12: Heavy Oil Measurement: This section presents the requirements and exceptions for heavy oil and crude bitumen facilities, but does not cover crude bitumen production through mining. Some of the highlights are
• measurement of heavy oil production
• blending and flashing shrinkages
• paper batteries
• produced gas determination
• well testing requirements
• single point measurement uncertainties for various applications not covered in Section 1

Section 13: Condensate Measurement: This section presents the requirements and exceptions for condensate reporting associated with gas well production. Some of the highlights are
• definition of types of condensate
• condensate reporting requirements and scenarios
• condensate volume determination

Comments and questions from all stakeholders are welcome. Please send them to Bill Cheung, Compliance, Environment, and Operations Branch (telephone 403-297-8798 or e-mail bill.cheung@ercb.ca) by May 29, 2009. The ERCB will then review feedback and make changes as necessary before releasing these in a revised edition of Directive 017.

All feedback received by the ERCB will be reviewed for the purpose of finalizing these draft sections. All of the information collected, used, and disclosed through this consultation will form part of the public record and is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) of Alberta. The ERCB may use the contact information you provided for follow-up communication related to your feedback and the consultation.

<original signed by>

D. K. Boyler, P.Eng.
Executive Manager
Compliance, Environment, and Operations Branch