Safety & Enforcement
This is Gonna be a Gas
A first-timer’s journey into the world of sour gas preparedness
On any given workday, you'll find me in the comfort of my cubicle, researching best regulatory practices and sharing what I learn with decision makers at the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). This work… Read more
Snakes on the Plains
Those working around Medicine Hat face a very unique, slithery hazard
They slither, they slide, they hiss, they rattle, they bite, and, for many people, they are scary. Fear of snakes ranks high on the list of common fears and some research suggests that humans are… Read more
Preparing for the Worst
Syncrude, regulators test ability to respond to an emergency
As in any other day, technicians working in the control room at Syncrude's Mildred Lake oil sands mine check to see that everything is operating the way that it should be. All of a sudden, an alarm… Read more
Wells: Where are they now?
AER video series explores how aging infrastructure is managed in Alber…
When we speak with Albertans, one of the top concerns raised about energy development is aging infrastructure and ensuring that land is returned to its original state o
The Language of Chaos
The Incident Command System uses a special language. Do you know what…
A catastrophic incident has occurred. First responders from multiple organizations quickly don protective equipment and race to the site in an effort to protect lives and minimize damage. But when so… Read more
Riddle Me This: How is Natural Gas Like Dipping Sa…
Like dipping sauce, natural gas can be sweet or sour—but the latter ca…
I have sweet friends, but I’m nothing like them. I stink, but you can’t always smell me. I can be used in life-giving fertilizers, but I’m a killer. What am I? Answer: I’m sour gas, a natural gas… Read more
The Snow Must Go On
Polar vortex or not, AER field inspectors brave the elements to ensure…
The temperature gauge on the dashboard reads 34 degrees below zero as our truck winds through quiet Gratton Coulee near Wainwright, Alberta. There isn’t much that can lure people outdoors in this… Read more
Solving Oil and Gas Mysteries
AER investigators sift through clues to find what caused incidents.
They wear hard hats instead of deerstalker caps and employ 21st-century investigative techniques rather than 19th-century methods.
Keeping Tabs on Industry Compliance
Five things to know about the AER’s Compliance Dashboard
Curious about what incidents, investigations, and enforcement actions are happening in Alberta’s oil and gas sector? Well the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has a tool for you.
Lodgepole: the Blowout that Changed the Safety Lan…
How one tragic disaster ushered in a new era of sour gas regulations
If you were living in Alberta in 1982, chances are you remember the October day when massive flames and gas erupted from a well just southwest of Edmontonit washe worst sour gas blowout in Alberta’s… Read more
