Timeline
Our estimated processing times vary by application type:
- New project applications / major expansion: 565 business days
- Category 1 amendment applications: 20 business days
- Category 2 amendment applications: 63 business days
- Category 3 amendment applications: 250 business days
See items starting with “MOS” in our timeline spreadsheet for updates.
Purpose of the Application
We regulate oil sands mining-related activities in accordance with the Oil Sands Conservation Act, and we classify applications for these activities into five types:
- mineable oil sands (MOS) new project/major expansion
- MOS pilot/experimental
- MOS category 1 amendment
- MOS category 2 amendment
- MOS category 3 amendment
See Directive 023: Oil Sands Project Applications for the application requirements for all but the experimental projects.
MOS new project/major expansion applications are for new mining projects to recover bitumen within the oil sands area. Major expansion applications are for expanding an approved project that will affect at least one of the following: the project area, resource conservation, environmental impacts, process flows, or material balances. The requirements for a major expansion are the same as for a new project.
MOS pilot/experimental applications are for schemes using methods that are untried and unproven in a particular application. See section 1(g) of the Oil Sands Conservation Act for a more detailed definition. Applicants should also refer to IL-OG 78-12: Policy on Experimental Schemes – Conventional Oil Pools or Oil Sands.
MOS category 1 amendment applications are to optimize an oil sands project or replace or repair infrastructure in a way that will not result in a change to resource conservation, process flows, or material balances.
MOS category 2 amendment applications are to modify an oil sands project in a way that may affect resource conservation, process flows, or material balances.
MOS category 3 amendment applications are to modify an oil sands project that will affect at least one of the following: the project area, resource conservation, process flows, or material balances.
Process Checklist
Submit an Application
Companies must email their applications to OSMining.Applications@aer.ca. Applications deemed complete are registered using the Integrated Application Registry (IAR).
By submitting an application, the company accepts that its information is no longer confidential. Application review status and nonconfidential application files can be viewed by the public using the IAR query tool.
Review Process
- We perform an initial review of the application. If it is missing information, we may return the application without registering it. If the application is complete, we will register it in IAR and proceed to the technical review, ensuring that it meets all requirements.
- We may request additional information (through a supplemental information request) to complete our technical review.
- We share all registered applications on our Public Notice of Application page to encourage public participation in the review process.
- Anyone who believes they may be directly and adversely affected by an application can file a statement of concern (SOC) in accordance with the Alberta Energy Regulator Rules of Practice. If we receive an SOC, it may take us longer to process the application.
- When applicable, an integrated review is conducted by AER staff tasked with reviewing related applications under the specified enactments (Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Public Lands Act, Water Act) including environmental impact assessments. In these cases, a single public notice of application will be issued.
- We will decide to approve, close, or deny the application. If we close it, the applicant may reapply without prejudice. If we deny it, the applicant can file an appeal through our appeal process.
- We will provide the applicant with a link to the letter with our decision, which is accessible through our IAR query tool. We will also share our decision on our Publication of Decision page.
