June 8, 2023
The AER is escalating enforcement against AlphaBow Energy Ltd. (AlphaBow) and has issued a suspension order to the company after it failed to comply with our initial order issued on March 30, 2023, and because we have concerns about the company’s ability meet its regulatory and liability obligations throughout the energy life cycle.
Under the order, AlphaBow must:
- comply with the requirements outlined in the March 30 order;
- suspend its sites, including wells and facilities, and discontinue its pipelines, within 14 calendar days from the date of the order; and
- depressurize and empty all containment devices and equipment within 90 calendar days from the date of the order.
The AER may consider lifting the two orders if AlphaBow comes into compliance with the order issued on March 30, 2023, and can demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements, and maintain all reasonable care and measures over its assets.
A copy of the suspension order issued to AlphaBow can be found on the AER’s Compliance Dashboard.
April 3, 2023
On March 30, 2023, the AER issued a reasonable care and measures order to AlphaBow as the company has repeatedly failed to comply with regulatory requirements and address compliance issues in a timely manner. The AER is of the opinion that AlphaBow does not have the capability to meet its regulatory and liability obligations across the energy development lifecycle.
The AER’s order requires AlphaBow to take several actions, which includes:
- submitting a plan outlining the actions it will take to properly manage its sites, address outstanding compliance issues, ensure environmental monitoring requirements are met, and perform remedial work related to previous incidents;
- submitting an abandonment plan to abandon wells where the mineral lease has expired; and
- paying $15.3 million in security, representing 10 per cent of its estimated inactive liability, to offset the estimated costs of abandoning and reclaiming a well or facility and carrying out other activities necessary to ensure the protection of the public and the environment.
In addition, AlphaBow is required to submit financial information, such as interim quarterly financial statements and third-party audited annual financial statements.
The AER has issued this order to ensure the sites licensed to AlphaBow will not pose a risk to public safety or the environment, and to prevent impairment or damage to the sites.
A copy of the reasonable care and measures order issued to AlphaBow can be found on the AER’s Compliance Dashboard.
