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Manuals are instructive documents for staff or stakeholders. While they are not a source of regulatory requirements, manuals

  • list or elaborate on requirements found in our rules, regulations, and directives;
  • provide process guidelines for AER staff, industry, and other stakeholders; or
  • clarify existing processes.

If you have questions about this page, please contact our Customer Contact Centre.

Title Description Release Date
Manual 001: Facility and Well Site Inspections

Ensures that inspections are completed by AER staff in a consistent manner for oil and gas facilities, injection and disposal facilities, custom treating plants, waste management facilities, and well sites.

September 15, 2010
Manual 002: Drilling Waste Inspections

Ensures that drilling waste operations are inspected by AER staff in a consistent manner.

December 20, 2012
Manual 003: Participant Guide to the Hearing Process

Explains our hearing process . It is particularly useful for those who may be affected by an AER decision. Also recommended for regional public groups, new companies, and new industry staff.

April 30, 2018
Manual 004: Alternative Dispute Resolution Program and Guidelines for Energy Industry Disputes

Explains our alternative dispute resolution program and its guidelines.

June 17, 2013
Manual 005: Pipeline Inspections

Ensures that pipeline operations are inspected by AER staff in a consistent manner.

Manual 005 replaced Directive 066: Requirements and Procedures for Pipelines on October 6, 2013.

August 18, 2016
Manual 007: Principles for Minimizing Surface Disturbance in Native Prairie and Parkland Areas

Aims to minimize disturbance of native prairie or parkland areas in Alberta.

Manual 007 replaced Informational Letter (IL) 2002-01: Principles for Minimizing Surface Disturbance in Native Prairie and Parkland Areas.

April 30, 2014
Manual 008: Oil Sands and Coal Exploration Application Guide

Provides application processes and timelines for oil sands exploration and coal exploration programs.

August 19, 2014
Manual 009: Play-Based Regulation Pilot Application Guide

Rescinded by Bulletin 2020-07.

April 8, 2020
Manual 010: Guidelines for Submission of a Predisturbance Assessment and Conservation & Reclamation Plan Under an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act Approval for Enhanced Recovery In Situ Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Processing Plants and Oil Production Sites

Rescinded by Specified Enactment Direction 001: Direction for Conservation and Reclamation Submissions Under an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act Approval for Enhanced Recovery In Situ Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Processing Plants and Oil Production Sites as per Bulletin 2016-02.

March 1, 2016
Manual 011: How to Submit Volumetric Data to the AER

Explains to industry how we receive data through Petrinex.

October 07, 2019
Manual 012: Energy Development Applications Procedures and Schedules

Contains the procedural instructions and forms necessary to apply to construct or operate facilities, pipelines, or wells under Directive 056 .

March 11, 2020
Manual 013: Compliance and Enforcement Program

Describes our compliance and enforcement program.

November 06, 2019
Manual 014: Liquid Classification and Well Status Fluid Type Determination for Oil and Gas Wells

Clarifies our existing process for classifying liquids and determining well status fluid type.
Flowcharts:

April 05, 2016
Manual 015: Estimating Methane Emissions

Provides a guide for companies tasked with reporting and quantifying vent gas and fugitive methane emissions as required by Directive 060.

December 12, 2018
Manual 016: How to Develop a Fugitive Emissions Management Program

Provides a guide for industry on how to develop fugitive emissions management programs (FEMPs) that comply with Directive 060.

December 12, 2018
Manual 017: Coal Mine Pit Wall Abandonment

Provides guidance on the submission requirements, application process, and evaluation criteria for coal mine pit wall abandonment under the Coal Conservation Rules (CCR).

May 08, 2019
Manual 018: OneStop Preapplication Manual

This manual outlines what to consider when preparing to apply through the OneStop system for an activity on public lands.

August 06, 2019
Manual 019: Decommissioning, Closure, and Abandonment of Dams at Energy Projects

Explains how we assess and process dam decommissioning, closure, and abandonment submissions that are required under section 34 of the Water (Ministerial) Regulation and part 9 of Alberta Environment and Parks’ Alberta Dam and Canal Safety Directive.

January 16, 2020
Manual 020: Coal Development

Explains the submission requirements, application process, and evaluation criteria for development of coal resources in Alberta.

See Sample Third Quarter Mine Report for report examples for open pit, strip, and underground mines.

August 07, 2020