Directive 020

Replaces previous edition issued September 5, 2023
Released with Bulletin 2024-07

See section 1.3 of the directive for what’s new.

Purpose of this Directive

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) Directive 020: Well Abandonment details the minimum requirements for abandonments, casing removal, zonal abandonments, and plug backs as required under section 3.013 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Rules.

The objective of a well abandonment is to cover all nonsaline groundwater (water with total dissolved solids less than 4000 milligrams per litre [mg/l]) and to isolate or cover all porous zones.

All open-hole and cased-hole abandonments must be conducted in accordance with the requirements in this directive.

Notes:

• Well status (set through Petrinex) and licence status (set through the Digital Data Submission system) should align. For a list of valid combinations, refer to the well/licence status matrix link under Attachments below.

Forms

• Directive 020 Forms

Attachments

• Well / Licence Status Matrix (updated April 2012)
• What We Heard

Designated Information Submission System

The table below sets out the designated information submission system to use when submitting information under Directive 020. In addition to using the designated information submission system indicated below, nonroutine requests and the required supporting information must also be submitted to WellOperations@aer.ca.