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Bulletin 2021-34

New Edition of Directive 040

Release Date

Today we released a new edition of Directive 040: Pressure and Deliverability Testing Oil and Gas Wells, consisting of the following changes:

  • Our guidance for minifrac tests, also known as diagnostic fracture injection tests, was updated to align with the current practice for conducting these tests.
  • The exemption eligibility criteria for the initial pressure test requirement for new oil, gas, and step-out wells were expanded. 
  • The requirement to conduct an absolute open flow (AOF) deliverability test on new gas wells was rescinded. 
  • The requirement to conduct annual pressure tests for oil and gas pools under primary production was rescinded. 

A draft of the directive was released on June 2, 2021, and public feedback was accepted through July 4, 2021 (see Bulletin 2021-21). A summary of the feedback, including our responses, is available on the directive’s webpage.

The revised edition of Directive 040 is available on our website, www.aer.ca > Regulating Development > Rules and Directives > Directives > Directive 040. If you have any questions contact our Customer Contact Centre by phone at 1-855-297-8311 or by email at inquiries@aer.ca.