We are responsible for regulating the life cycle of energy and minerals resource developments in Alberta. As the single regulator for energy and mineral resource development in the province, we ensure that development occurs in a manner that protects public safety and the environment, while ensuring that the regulatory system is as efficient as possible. We make decisions regarding
- energy development applications;
- industry compliance, enforcement, and monitoring;
- project closure; and
- all other aspects of energy development under our jurisdiction.
Learn more about how we regulate energy development in Alberta.
What We Regulate
- More than 157 000 operating wells
- More than 447 000 km of pipelines (plus inspection/incident response support for 12 000 km regulated by the Alberta Utilities Commission)
- Over 18 000 gas facilities
- Over 26 000 oil facilities
- 8 operating oil sands mines
- 26 thermal recovery in situ projects and over 154 primary/enhanced recovery in situ projects
- 157 operating oilfield waste management facilities
- 5 operating bitumen upgraders
- 5 operating coal mines
- 5 decommissioned coal mines
- 1 decommissioned coal processing plant
- 1 geothermal well
- 6 brine-hosted mineral facilities and wells
- 35 rock-hosted minerals surface mines
We are also responsible for managing Alberta’s vast energy resources. Every year since 1950, we have prepared a report that provides information on the state of reserves and the supply and demand outlook for Alberta’s energy resources: Please see the current version of this report, Alberta’s Energy Outlook (ST98), for more details.
2023 Remaining Established Reserves
- 1.8 billion barrels of conventional oil
- 158 billion barrels of bitumen
- 24.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas
- 36 billion tons of coal
2023 Annual Production
- 187 million barrels of crude oil
- 1.25 billion barrels of bitumen
- 4.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, including coalbed methane and shale gas
- 12 million tons of coal
What is outside of the AER’s jurisdiction?
Compensation for land use is not dealt with by the AER and should be referred to the Land and Property Rights Tribunal (formerly the Surface Rights Board).
Consultation with Alberta’s First Nations and Métis settlements and assessment of its adequacy are managed by the Aboriginal Consultation Office.
