Directive 056: Energy Development Applications and Schedules
Effective Date: November 7, 2019
Released with Bulletin 2019-22. See Bulletin 2019-24 for updated information.
Purpose of this Directive
This directive contains the technical requirements for applying to construct or operate facilities, pipelines, or wells. Procedural instructions and forms can be found in Manual 012: Energy Development Applications; Procedures and Schedules.
While Directive 056 encompasses the legal requirements of all licensees under the OGCR, the Pipeline Rules, and other regulations stipulated by the AER, additional approvals or licences from other government agencies may be required.
This directive is incorporated by reference into the Oil and Gas Conservation Rules (OGCR). If a situation arises that is not covered in this directive, contact the AER's Customer Contact Centre for further direction.
| What's New | |
| October 3, 2019 | The Lahee classification has been replaced with a new system that distinguishes between exploration and exploitation activity while taking into account other unique well types drilled in Alberta. Also, the applicability of the "confidential below" designation will now only be assessed after a well is drilled. |
| October 18, 2018 | The directive has been restructured. Procedural instructions and forms have been extracted and published in Manual 012: Energy Development Applications; Procedures and Schedules. The directive now only contains the technical requirements. In addition, the participant involvement requirements and audit requirements were consolidated into their own sections. This directive is formatted with electronic links to assist users in moving quickly from one section to another, as well as linking to applicable regulations, websites, and publications recommended in the directive. |
| October 24, 2017 | Addition of an Emissions section and update to the Pop Tank section of the FAQs - Facilities Technical |
| June 8, 2016 | The following three documents have been removed from the Directive 056 webpage under Supplemental Information > Directive 056 Tools: (1) Process Clarification for Surface Facility Licensing Issues, (2) Reference Tool for Directive 056: Instructions for Increasing H2S Partial Pressure of Existing Oil Effluent Pipelines, and (3) Process Clarification for Licensing Pipeline Amendments. |
| June 8, 2016 | To align Directive 056 with the Integrated Compliance Assurance Framework, references to Directive 019, voluntary self-disclosure, and records correction have been removed from the directive. These changes include the removal of the "self-disclosure" check box on the Directive 56 application forms. Voluntary self-disclosures should be directed to the appropriate contact using the Voluntary Self-Disclosure Form. For more information, see Bulletin 2016-01 and the Directive 056FAQs on compliance assurance. Questions can be directed to Directive 056.Help@aer.ca. |
| March 10, 2016 | New FAQs on Application Audit Submissions added to Facilities Technical, Pipelines Technical, Wells Technical, and Participation Involvement |
| January 19, 2016 | New FAQ on licence extension added to Facilities Technical, Pipelines Technical, and Wells Technical FAQs. |
| March 13, 2015 | New FAQ, "When applying for the installation of a free-standing liner and filling out Schedule 3.1, do I identify the pipe specifications of the existing pipeline or the proposed liner?", added to Pipelines Technical FAQs |
| January 29, 2015 | New FAQ's have been added regarding ABSA, Pop Tank, Spacing, and Tank Heater. |
| May 1, 2014 | Requirements for the Peace River area have been added to section 8. |
| June 17, 2013 | All documents have been, or are in the process of being, rebranded under the Alberta Energy Regulator. |
| March 26, 2013 | New Tool – Energy Development Category Type Calculator for Surface Equipment Helps identify which category type should be used when applying for a Facility application based on surface equipment and inlet information. |
Participant Involvement information requirements, and other related documents that are linked below have been issued in conjunction with Directive 056 (formerly Guide 56). These links will be updated as more documents become available.
I. Directive 056 Tools
H2S Conversion Calculator [XLS]
This simple Excel spreadsheet allows the user to convert H2S concentrations between units of percentage (%), parts per million (ppm) and moles per kilomole (mol/kmol).
Energy Development Category Type Calculator for Surface Equipment [XLS]
This simple Excel spreadsheet helps identify which category type should be used when applying for a Facility application based on surface equipment and inlet information.
Pipelines
Reference Tool for Interpreting Pipeline Pressure Control and Overpressure Protection Requirements
(March 2007) Clarifies the requirements of Canadian Standards Association Z662-03: Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems, Clause 4.14.1
Process for Pipeline Applications of Fiberspar, Flexpipe, Flexcord or Flexsteel Composite Pipes
Updated April 2016, to reflect CSA Z662-15 and Pipeline Rules AR 91/2005
Checklist for Minimum Technical Requirements for Pipeline Applications
(September 2003) This document provides technical guidance for an applicant submitting pipeline applications.
II. Participant Involvement Information
EnerFAQs: A series of documents dealing with topics about the energy industry
AER Brochure: Understanding Oil and Gas Development in Alberta
Letter from the CEO of the AER
III. Other Supporting Documents
Integrated Application Registry (IAR)
Access this system to check the status of applications.
Facilities
Facility Applications
Application Audit Submission
Facilities Technical
- Pop Tank
- Tank Heater
- Spacing
Wells
Well Applications
Application Audit Submission
Wells Technical
- Preparatory Work
- CO2 Wells Drilled To Evaluate Formations
- Geo Exchange Wells
- Drill Cutting Sample Changes
- Lahee Classifications and Geologic Confidentiality
- Road Allowance
- Bottomhole Location Changes
Participant Involvement
Application Audit Submission
Participant Involvement Technical
- Coal/CBM
- Confirmation of Nonobjection
- Public Information
- First Nations Consultation
- Sour Gas Planning and Proliferation Requirements
Pipeline
Pipeline Applications
Application Audit Submissions
Pipeline Technical
- Submitting a Licence Amendment Application to Install a Free-Standing Liner
- Surface Pipelines
- Permanent Bi-Directional Flow Pipeline
- Environmental Requirements
- Thermal Production Pipelines
The table below sets out the designated information submission system to use when submitting applications under Directive 056.
| Applications | Designated information submission system |
| All pipeline licence applications | OneStop |
| New well licence applications | OneStop |
| All other well licence applications | DDS system |
| All facility licence applications | DDS system |