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Directive 023: Oil Sands Project Applications

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Release Date: February 08, 2024

Effective date: February 8, 2024
Replaces previous draft edition issued March 28, 2023
Released with Bulletin 2024-01

Purpose of this Directive

This directive sets out the requirements for filing an application with the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) under sections 10 and 11 of the Oil Sands Conservation Act  (OSCA). Section 10 governs the approval of a scheme or operation to recover oil sands or crude bitumen and covers in situ and surface or underground mining operations. Section 11 governs the approval of oil sands processing plants and covers bitumen extraction facilities, refineries and upgraders, and certain gas processing facilities. Directive 023 also sets out the requirements for filing an application under section 13 of OSCA to amend a previously approved scheme or processing plant.

This directive does not address the application requirements for primary, enhanced recovery, or experimental schemes for the recovery of oil sands or crude bitumen or the requirements to suspend or abandon a scheme or a processing plant.