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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.

May 6, 2024
Manual 002: Drilling Waste Inspections

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

May 6, 2024
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.

December 16, 2020
Manual 004: Alternative Dispute Resolution Program and Guidelines for Energy Industry Disputes

Explains our alternative dispute resolution program and its guidelines.

December 16, 2020
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 29, 2020.

May 6, 2024
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Rescinded by Bulletin 2020-07.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 08, 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Rescinded by Specified Enactment Direction 001: Direction for Conservation and Reclamation Submissions Under an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act Approval for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 01, 2016
Manual 011: How to Submit Volumetric Data to the AER

Explains to industry how we receive data through Petrinex.

March 27, 2023
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 27, 2024
Manual 013: Compliance and Enforcement Program

Describes our compliance and enforcement program.

December 16, 2020
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:

December 16, 2020
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 16, 2020
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 16, 2020
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 Public Lands Application Manual

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

April 19, 2023
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.

April 2, 2024
Manual 021: Contamination Management

Explains the regulatory requirements and expectations for remediating contamination related to oil and gas, in situ, and pipeline activities regulated by the AER. A draft of the manual was open for public comment in July and August 2021 (see Bulletin 2021-26). Read the summary of what we heard and changes made to the manual in response.

October 27, 2021
Manual 022: Expedited Decisions

Under section 5.2(2)(b) of the Alberta Energy Regulator Rules of Practice, we may make decisions on certain types of applications under the Public Lands Act before the time period for filing a statement of concern has elapsed (an expedited decision). This manual lists the specific application types under the Public Lands Act that qualify for an expedited decision.

November 01, 2021
Manual 023: Licensee Life-Cycle Management

This manual supplements Directive 088: Licensee Life-Cycle Management, expanding on its requirements and programs.

April 9, 2024
Manual 024: Guide to the Mine Financial Security Program

Explains how to comply with security and reporting requirements under the Mine Financial Security Program.

May 02, 2022
Manual 025: Applications Under the Water Conservation Policy for Upstream Oil and Gas Operations

This manual assists operators in applying for new water licences, licence renewals, and licence amendments pursuant to the Water Act and under the scope of the Water Conservation Policy for Upstream Oil and Gas Operations. A draft of the manual was open for public comment in April and May 2021 (see Bulletin 2021-15). Read the summary of what we heard and changes made to the manual in response. 

•    Water Conservation Policy Map Viewer

March 27, 2024
Manual 026: Emergency Preparedness and Response Guide

This manual provides guidance for duty holders on specific aspects of emergency response planning, engaging with the public and appropriate authorities, and the public protection measures used in incident response.

February 08, 2023
Manual 027: Well Drilling and Completion Data Submission System Guidance

A submission guidance companion to the requirements in Directive 059: Well Drilling and Completion Data Filing Requirements.

September 05, 2023