oil and gas environmental stewardship program · 2009. 5. 19. · annual report 2006/2007 3...

Report on 2006/2007 Research

Oil And Gas Environmental Stewardship Program

British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum ResourcesOil & Gas Division, Resource Development & Geoscience Branch6th floor – 1810 Blanshard StreetVictoria, British Columbia V8W 9N3Contact: Colleen Colwell, Program Manager E-mail: Colleen [email protected]: (250) 952-0922Web site: www.em.gov.bc.ca/oilandgasAnnual Report: http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/subwebs/oilandgas/pub/reports/htm

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data

British Columbia. Oil and Gas Environmental Stewardship Program.Report on ... research. -- 2005/2006-

Annual.Previously published as monograph: British Columbia. Oil and Gas Environmental Policy Program. Report on 2004/2005 research projects. 2005.ISSN 1913-9977 = Report on ... research (British Columbia. Oil and Gas Environmental Stewardship Program)

1. Environmental management - Research - British Columbia - Periodicals. 2. Petroleum industry and trade - Environmental aspects - Research - British Columbia - Periodicals. 3. Environmental monitoring - British Columbia - Periodicals. 4. Environmental policy - British Columbia - Periodicals. I. British Columbia. Oil and Gas Division. II. Title.

TD195.P4B74 363.70072’071105 C2007-960204-5

Photo Credits:

Front cover mosaic (clockwise from top left): Dan Brown (Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep near Salmo, BC), Valerie Huff, Chris Meloche (example of a low-impact drilling operation), Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (water quality sampling in the Crowsnest area)

Back cover (left): Vince Poulin, VA Poulin and Associates Ltd. (Sampler performing stream measurement). Back cover (right): Valerie Huff

Page 4: Verena HofmanPage 5: Jason Lee (Property of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association)Page 6: Chris Meloche, Husky Energy Ltd.Page 7: Valerie HuffPage 8: Oil and Gas CommissionPage 9: Oil and Gas CommissionPage 10: Vince Poulin, VA Poulin and Associates Ltd.Page 11 & 12: Ministry of EnvironmentPage 13 (lower): BC ParksPage 13 (upper): Ministry of Environment

All other photographs: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

Annual Report 2006/2007 �

ContentsMap of Northeast BC Project Work 2006/2007 ............................................2

Introduction ..................................................................................................3

Environmental Policy Program ....................................................................4

First Nations ............................................................................................................4

Treaty 8 First Nations Complex Consultation Zones ............................................................ 4First Nations Engagement and Wildlife Studies ...................................................................... 5

Research and Guidelines ........................................................................................6

Barite-Barium Soil Quality Guidlines for British Columbia ................................................ 6Developing an Interactive Key for the Grasses of the Northern Interior of BC ... 7Flaring Reduction Strategy .................................................................................................................. 8User’s Guide to the Oil and Gas Waste Regulation ............................................................... 9Field Card Calibration: Stream Classification for the Oil and Gas Industry ......... 10

Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat ............................................................................... ��

Chinchaga Boreal Caribou Study .................................................................................................. 11Moose Population Parameters in the Blueberry River Area ......................................... 12Wildlife Project Review (Large Ungulate Management) ................................................ 13

Environmental Resource Information Project ...........................................14About ERIP .................................................................................................................................................. 14Sample Projects ....................................................................................................................................... 15Project Map ................................................................................................................................................ 16

Stewardship Partners

Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum

Resources

Ministry of Environment

Oil and Gas Environmental Stewardship Program2

Northeast BC Project Work 2006/2007

Annual Report 2006/2007 3

Introduction

Better stewardship in the oil and gas industry, and contin-ued improvement in environmental and health and safety performance.

The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (MEMPR) leads a targeted and focused Oil and Gas Environmental Stewardship Program (OGESP) that helps to address the Province’s strategic objective of maintaining healthy communities and a sustainable environment. The Oil and Gas Environmental Stewardship Program is a component of The BC Energy Plan: A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership. The Province is committed to enhancing the Environmental Stewardship Program, ensuring sound environmental, land, and resource management.

The OGESP, administered by MEMPR’s Resource Development and Geoscience Branch, encompasses two funding programs: the Environmental Policy Program (EPP) and the Environmental Resource Information Project (ERIP).

The Environmental Policy Program was initiated in 2004 to identify and mitigate environmental issues in the petroleum sector. Working towards resolving environmental issues helps to build vibrant communities and to ensure that industry has the opportunity for a long-term future in the responsible development of oil and gas resources in B.C.

The Environmental Resource Information Project contributes to responsible oil and gas development through the implementation of projects aimed at creating an inventory of baseline information. The majority of projects are related to water quality monitoring in selected coalfields across British Columbia prior to oil and gas development. The public may access this information online at www.em.gov.bc.ca/oilandgas.

The Oil and Gas Environmental Stewardship program is committed to supporting projects that provide for better stewardship in the oil and gas industry, and continued improvement in environmental and health and safety performance. In 2006/2007, $500,000 was invested in project work to reduce the ecological footprint of the oil and gas industry.

Project results will be used by industry and government agencies in a variety of ways, from establishing environmental guidelines, targets and best management practices to improving working relationships with First Nations and community groups.

Some key program achievements to date include the completion of:

• Projects that identify important Doig River and Prophet River First Nations sites and cultural features.

• Several ungulate habitat enhancement and assessment projects.• Guidelines for Air Quality Dispersion Modeling in B.C.• Assessments and Mapping of Terrain Hazards in Northeast B.C.This annual report provides detailed summaries of 2006/2007 project work conducted as part of the MEMPR Oil and Gas Environmental Stewardship Program.

Treaty 8 First Nations Complex Consultation Zones

Treaty 8 was originally a treaty settlement negotiated between the Government of Canada and First Nations in northern Alberta, northwest Saskatchewan and the southern North-west Territories. In 1899, the treaty was extended into British Columbia to include eight First Nations in the northeast corner of the province.


Objective: To enhance working relationships between First Nations, the Province of British Columbia and industry by identifying Complex Consultation Zones within Treaty 8 Territory.

Description:Complex Consultation Zones (CCZ) are areas where there are intersecting interests between the oil and gas industry and First Nations’ cultural and community values. These values may include social/historic sites (villages, camps, spiritual sites, meeting sites and trails, etc), as well as economic and environmental areas of importance.

The CCZ project includes collecting and mapping cultural and ecological data in the Treaty 8 Territory and selecting areas to be designated as CCZs through interviewing members from the individual Treaty 8 First Nations (T8FNs) communities.

The consulting project team engaged in on-site group discussions with key knowledge holders and decision makers within each T8FNs community to gather data that can be used in creating the zones. Information was gathered on:

• existing use and occupancy data.• intended approach to mapping the CCZ.• role that the CCZ may play in land and

resource management.• methods of data collection.• who should participate (within each T8FNs

community) in CCZ selection.• required data layers.As part of the project, a work plan showing phases and tasks required to achieve the objective of CCZ selection and documentation in Treaty 8 First Nation Territory was developed.

Benefits:Identifying Complex Consultation Zones improves communications and relationships between industry, government and First Nations. This will help improve the knowledge of important land information, including First Nations special sites, benefiting all parties involved and helping to maintain a good working relationship.

Contact:Tom Ouellette, Strategic DirectorTechnical Services and Regulatory Affairs BranchOil and Gas CommissionTel: (250) 261-5733E-mail: [email protected]

Kieran Broderick, DirectorLand and Resources DepartmentTreaty 8 Tribal AssociationTel: (250) 785-0612E-mail: [email protected]

Environmental Policy Program First Nations


First Nations Engagement and Wildlife Studies

Objectives:• To enhance the working relationships

between the Province of British Columbia and Treaty 8 First Nations concerning wildlife management within the Treaty 8 territory.

• To enhance communications between the Treaty 8 First Nations and the Province on wildlife issues within the Treaty 8 territory.

• To establish building blocks for Treaty 8 First Nations involvement in wildlife management in Treaty 8 territory.

Description:The project brings together First Nations insights and wildlife concerns with Ministry of Environment expertise in wildlife data collection and wildlife management. To assist this process, a wildlife biologist from both the Ministry of Environment and the Treaty 8 First Nations worked together on a number of wildlife management initiatives. The overall focus of the project is on sharing of knowledge, developing long-term wildlife management goals and priorities, and integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into wildlife management strategies.

Some cooperative projects recently completed include:• developing a Status of Moose in the Peace

Region discussion paper.• investigating wildlife mortality issues near the

Prophet River First Nation.• reintroducing wood bison into the Hay River

area.• analyzing telemetry data for moose in the

Cypress/Halfway River region.• monitoring and protection of the endangered

snail species Physella wrighti native to the Liard Hotsprings.

Benefits:Through cooperative management of wildlife, the working relationship is improved between local First Nations and the Province in the Peace River area. There will be long-term benefits to wildlife management in the Treaty 8 area as a result of these joint efforts. Looking to the future, the Province and the Treaty 8 Tribal Association will continue to work toward improving and enhancing relations in managing wildlife within the Treaty 8 territory.

By identifying key wildlife management issues through this type of cooperative effort between First Nations and the Province, wildlife concerns can be mitigated in the process of selecting oil and gas development sites. This type of responsible development is a key priority of the BC Energy Plan.

Contact:Conrad ThiessenRegional Wildlife BiologistMinistry of EnvironmentTel: (250) 787-3287 E-mail: [email protected]

Jason LeeWildlife BiologistTreaty 8 Tribal AssociationTel: (250) 785-0612E-mail: [email protected]

Environmental Policy Program First Nations

As part of this project, a Bison and Roads Workshop was held to deal with conflicts between bison and users of the Alaska Highway near the Liard River.


Objective: To develop soil quality standards for soluble barium in British Columbia that are protective of human health and the environment. This includes the development of an environmentally relevant methodology for determining concentrations of soluble barium in soil at well sites.

Description: Barite (barium sulphate) is a high density barium compound used by the oil and gas industry to increase mud weight in drilling fluids to maintain control over wells with high downhole pressures and to protect wellbore stability. Unlike other forms of barium, barite is relatively insoluble under most environmental conditions and less toxic to plants and soil invertebrates compared with many other barium compounds..

Oil and gas industry stakeholders are in agreement that for contaminated site regulatory purposes, environmentally relevant soil standards based on the toxicity of barium compounds are needed. Since 2006, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), the Ministry of Environment (MoE),

the Oil and Gas Commission (OGC), and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (MEMPR) have worked collaboratively to develop both new standards and a new analytical method for barium compounds. For sites where barium

is in the soil as a result of drilling activity, the Barium Schedule 5 Matrix Numerical Standards in BC have been created to determine the contamination level of the site and when site remediation is complete. These standards are currently being finalized for public consultation and comment.

A key part of the project is the development of a new analytical soil-testing method that reflects the non-toxic and environmentally benign nature of barite. MoE approved the new analytical method under the Environmental Management Act on October 15, 2007 and a protocol for its use is currently being prepared.

Benefits: The new standards will enhance environmental protection by providing a more accurate matrix of relevant soil quality standards for barium compounds. By measuring soil barium compound concentrations using the Barium Schedule 5 Matrix, the Contaminated Sites Regulation will be used with increased effectiveness, benefiting both the oil and gas industry and the environment.

Contact:Glyn Fox Science Officer Ministry of Environment Tel: (250) 356-8374 E-mail: [email protected]

Chris MelocheEnvironmental CoordinatorHusky Energy Inc.Tel: (403) 750-1522E-mail: [email protected]

Barite-Barium Soil Quality Guidelines for British Columbia

Environmental Policy Program Research and Guidelines

More detailed information is available at the MOE website at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/ remediation/ analytical_methods/index.htm.

Annual Report 2006/2007 7

Objective: To lessen the ecological footprint of oil and gas exploration and development in British Columbia by increasing knowledge of northern B.C. grasses.

Description: This project will provide a better understanding of northern B.C. grasslands, contributing to the effective remediation and restoration of northern B.C. development projects. This project will also provide land managers with important information that can be used in their efforts to restore oil and gas sites.

The project aims to create a comprehensive key of grasslands specific to the northern interior region—to this point grasses in the region are poorly understood—that will be of use to the oil and gas industry in its remediation efforts. It also provides information on the restoration values associated with individual native grasses.

During the summer of 2006, 301 grass samples were collected from 90 sites (see map). The report developed by the project lists 191 grass species known or suspected to occur in the northern interior of BC. Of these 191 species, 146 are native and 45 are introduced. As part of the project, specimens were dried, identified and entered into the database. Data gathered has been input into an electronic database for efficient management and handling through subsequent phases of the project.

Phase 1 of the project summarized the current understanding of grasses of B.C.’s northern interior. The project is currently in Phase 2, filling in knowledge gaps identified in Phase 1 and working towards development of a web-based interactive grass key for the region. This key will

Developing an Interactive Key for the Grasses of the Northern Interior of British Columbia


Northern British Columbia represents one of the botanically least known regions inCanada.

be valuable as a decision support tool for land managers and restoration practitioners.

Benefits: Knowing the restoration potential of native grass species will help the oil and gas industry maintain or restore ecological integrity and protect biodiversity on oil and gas sites. The project also contributes to the Oil and Gas Commission’s environmental goals by providing information related to the remediation of oil and gas exploration and development sites.

Contact:Colleen Colwell, Program ManagerEnvironmental Stewardship ProgramMinistry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Tel : (250) 953-3769E-mail: [email protected]

Project Management:Janet Pivnick, Program Coordinator,Restoration of Natural Systems ProgramDivision of Continuing StudiesUniversity of Victoria Tel: (250) 721-8463E-mail: [email protected],ca


Objective: To develop flaring and venting guidelines to minimize flared and vented gas volumes resulting from upstream petroleum industry activities. The guidelines will help industry meet British Columbia’s commitment to eliminate routine flaring at wells and production facilities by 2016 (a key initiative of the BC Energy Plan).

Description: Flaring can occur during drilling, production, transportation or processing operations in the oil and gas industry. Flaring wastes a valuable resource and can produce environmental effects. However, there are various circumstances when it is not practical or safe to conserve natural gas. These include process upsets, emergencies and maintenance flaring. The flaring and venting guidelines are intended to reduce flaring to only necessary situations, therefore reducing environmental effects.

The guidelines developed through this project will:

• outline accepted flaring and venting best practices.

• outline performance criteria.• identify reduction targets and thresholds.• identify measurement and reporting

requirements. Drawing from existing research and documentation from a variety of sources (see sidebar), and consolidating existing Oil and Gas Commission flare-related documents, the guidelines follow results-based objectives where appropriate. This approach allows a company to choose the flaring reduction methods that are appropriate to its operations.

Benefits: Capturing gas that would otherwise be flared, incinerated or vented will conserve the gas for beneficial use, reduce harmful emissions and result in greater royalty revenues for the Province. The guidelines were written and approved with stakeholder input and will result in the oil and gas industry working in an environment of greater certainty.

In addition, the Province will gain tools for reporting out on industry progress concerning flaring and venting reduction, leading to better communication with the public, stakeholders and other government agencies.

Contact:Richard Slocomb, P.Eng.Supervising Reservoir EngineerOil and Gas Commission Tel: (250) 952-0366E-mail: [email protected]

Flaring Reduction Strategy


The flaring strategy draws from the following sources:

Alberta EUB Directive 60—Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring Guide

Clean Air Strategic Alliance—Flaring and Venting Project Team Reports

World Bank—Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership

MEMPR/Levelton— Recommendations for BC Flaring Reduction Strategy

Internal Oil and Gas Commission reports—An Analysis of Natural Gas Flaring in British Columbia and A Flare Manage-ment Strategy for British Columbia


Objective: To help oil and gas operators better understand the Ministry of Environment’s Oil and Gas Waste Regulation (OGWR) through the development of a user’s guide.

Description: The Oil and Gas Waste Regulation authorizes waste discharges to the environment from upstream oil and gas facilities. The regulation applies to most upstream oil and gas operations and facilities, drilling operations, production testing (well test flaring) and drilling waste disposal from directional drilling for pipeline placement.

The OGWR includes requirements for the quality of discharges, discharge procedures, ambient air quality resulting from these discharges, submission of information and fees to the Ministry of Environment (MoE), and compliance with other regulations and guidance.

The user’s guide identifies the types of facilities that the regulation applies to, the specific discharges that are authorized, and how regulatory requirements can be met. It also describes other regulations that apply to oil and gas industry wastes, and the roles of the MoE and the Oil and Gas Commission (OGC). The guide includes definitions as well as chapters on specific aspects of the oil and gas industry as a further aid to the reader.

User’s Guide to the Oil and Gas Waste Regulation

Benefits:.The User’s Guide will improve industry compliance with OGWR by making information more accessible and consistent for the oil and gas industry.

Contacts: Maureen BilawchukEnvironmental Management Section Head – Business UnitMinistry of EnvironmentTel: (250) 565-6459E-mail: [email protected]

Linda ElderSenior Environmental Protection OfficerMinistry of EnvironmentTel: (250) 565-6448E-mail: [email protected]


The Ministry of Environment has now posted a draft User’s Guide to the Oil and Gas Waste Regulation on the internet, at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/industrial_waste/pet-rochemical/petrochemical_regs.htm

Oil and Gas Environmental Stewardship Program�0

The Fish Stream Classification Procedure enables users to assess the probability of sport fish occurence in streams.

Field Card Calibration: Stream Classification for the Oil and Gas Industry


Objective: This project is a continuation of the stream classification project that began in 2004. This project was undertaken to calibrate a stream classification field card for use by industry in the Fort St. John Timber Supply area when using the risk management tool, Stream Classification (Poulin) for the Peace Forest District.

Description: Using new stream inventories that became available in 2006 and re-evaluating existing data, a field card was established to provide resource managers in the Fort St. John area with an operational method for screening streams by probability of supporting sport fish species. The field card was adapted from work in the Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson Timber Supply Areas and calibrated for the Fort St. John area.

Using the field card, streams rated as nil or low-nil can be screened out, eliminating the need for a fish-stream inventory where none is justified. In streams with a higher probability of fish use, streams are rated moderate or high.

Such streams can be either managed as a sport fish stream, or, a fish-stream survey can be conducted. A further potential use of the model is to assist oil and gas managers in the selection of stream crossing designs that meet regulatory requirements. Training and certification must be undertaken before using the field card.

Benefits: The field card calibration project has developed an important planning tool for the oil and gas industry. It will help local resource managers accurately classify streams by probability of use by sport fish species. The project also has the potential to significantly reduce costs by avoiding unnecessary stream surveys and to better direct the expenditures of government and industry funds on fish sampling.

Contact: Nick Baccante, Ecosystem Section HeadMinistry of EnvironmentTel: (250) 787-3289E-mail: [email protected]

Annual Report 2006/2007 ��

Objectives:• To evaluate the hypothesis that wolves

and caribou exhibit differing selection for disturbed areas.

• To determine diet selection of caribou utilizing industrial lease sites or rights of way.

• To determine general habitat use patterns of boreal caribou and wolves.

• To designate and map core areas of occupancy for collared herds/packs.

• To determine short-term population trends (sex ratios, calf recruitment, and survival rate) for collared caribou herds.

• To compare the results of this study with those of the larger scale GPS project involving boreal caribou in the Snake-Sahtennah range.

• To suggest management options that can be undertaken by the oil and gas industry to mitigate concerns relating to boreal caribou.

Description: Boreal caribou habitat in British Columbia lies mainly within the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, a vast area of low relief topography with the highest oil and gas potential in the province. Development activities associated with the oil and gas industry, including seismic activities and pipelines, have increased predator efficiency in caribou ranges and fragmented habitat. To ensure the long term survival of the species within the province, it is essential that boreal caribou habitat needs are understood and accommodated.

To test the hypothesis that wolves and caribou exhibit differing selection for disturbed areas, several animals were radio collared in the Chinchaga Range of northeastern BC over the

first two years of the study. A total of 25 animals were collared and usable data were obtained from nine caribou and eight wolf collars. The project also collected data on: the animals’ seasonal movements and home range sizes; the use of mapped core habitats of caribou and wolves; and plant selection by caribou at disturbed sites using fecal analysis techniques.

Selected results:• core habitats as identified in 2004 adequately

represented the actual habitat use of caribou collared within the 2004 core habitats.

• terrestrial lichen was the plant of choice by caribou at all sites in the study.

• on an annual basis caribou displayed some level of avoidance for areas with greater than 50 per cent disturbance and, selected areas with greater than 50 per cent wetlands.

• wolves showed no apparent selection with regard to disturbance and selected sites with moderate levels of wetland.

Benefits:Project benefits include increased knowledge of both boreal caribou and wolf behaviour near oil and gas industrial sites. This knowledge will point the way to management options that take into account industrial disturbance and human presence in wolf and boreal caribou habitat.


Environmental Policy Program Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat

The name “caribou” is said to come from a Micmac word, xalibu, meaning pawer or scratcher, areference to the large holes caribou make in the snow as they forage for food.

Ministry of Environment

Chinchaga Boreal Caribou Study


Objectives: This project aims to estimate the size of the moose population, as well as determine population density, sex-ratio, and calf recruitment (number of calves surviving to adulthood) within Management Unit 7-45 (see map below), located northeast of Fort St. John. This data will be compared to results from previous years and will be used to provide management recommendations to industry operating within the management area.

Description:During discussions between the Ministry of Environment and local First Nations in 2006, moose were often mentioned as a species of critical interest in the Blueberry River area. First Nations groups are concerned that moose numbers are not sufficient to meet their harvest needs within certain areas, and may be over-hunted locally. In addition, First Nations feel

that the current harvesting system is too strictly focused on the mature bull sector of the population, which may be affecting overall pregnancy rates and/or population genetics. Along with addressing these concerns, the data gathered in this project can

Moose Population Parameters in the Blueberry River Area

be used to ensure that responsible oil and gas development is taking place within the Management Unit 7-45.

A random sampling design was used to produce a population estimate for the moose population in the management unit. From this estimate a population breakdown of bulls, cows and calves was derived and the ratio between both bulls/cows and calves/cows was established. The 2006 inventory showed a higher calf to cow ratio than a similar survey completed in 1998.

The project was carried out in cooperation with four First Nation communities who share an interest in the study area: Blueberry River First Nation, Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, and Prophet River First Nation. As part of the project, an examination of hunter success rate over the past 30 years was also completed. This success rate was found to be relatively consistent (at 36 per cent) over the time period.

Benefits:Data obtained through the project will be used to provide direction on future oil and gas development and harvest potential for the population of moose living within the Blueberry River area of British Columbia and will help with establishing management and hunting guidelines.



Management Unit 7-45 encompasses an area of approximately 6203 km2 and is roughly bounded by the Alaska Highway to the west, the Sikanni Chief River to the north, the Beat-ton River to the east, and the Blueberry River to the south.

Annual Report 2006/2007 �3

Wildlife Project Review (Large Ungulate Management)

Objectives:

• To review, assess and summarize literature relevant to the management of northeast British Columbia caribou and other large ungulates that may affect caribou populations.

• To assess the interaction of potential limiting factors influencing caribou populations.

• To provide advice on a set of guidelines or best management practices that could be incorporated into oil and gas activities.

Project Description: This project—which includes participation in recovery planning initiatives for caribou—focuses on developing a strategic, tactical and operational approach to wildlife management issues in northeast British Columbia. The project particularly considers developing a balanced approach to managing boreal caribou in relation to oil and gas and other land based activities. It will consider the interrelationships between caribou, predators, and primary prey (e.g. moose) and the influence of anthropomorphic factors on these relationships.

Benefits: This project will allow the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources to be pro-active in working with other agencies and industry in British Columbia with regard to the development of management practices relating to caribou. Project outcomes will help in the development and implementation of any future regulatory changes.

Contact: Colleen ColwellProgram ManagerEnvironmental Stewardship ProgramMinistry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Tel : (250) 953-3769E-mail: [email protected]


Introduction:A key objective in The BC Energy Plan is to enhance the Oil and Gas Environmental Stewardship Program which contributes to sound environmental and resource management. The Environmental Resource Information Project (ERIP) is a component of the Oil and Gas Environmental Stewardship Program. ERIP contributes to responsible development of coalbed gas resources in the Province by improving online access to existing environmental resource studies and information, and by conducting a broad range of environmental monitoring, research projects and surveys.

To enhance the delivery and effectiveness of ERIP, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (MEMPR) works collaboratively with the Ministry of Environment (MoE); community groups; First Nations; industry; and federal, provincial, and local governments.

ERIP includes: A searchable, online (web-accessible) bibliography

A bibliography of existing databases and reports with the ability to customize search and report features related to a specific coalfield or a particular environmental topic.

New Environmental survey data

Databases and summaries of water quality and benthic invertebrate surveys conducted on the major streams draining most coalfields in the province. Some groundwater and other surveys are also included on the website.

Goals and Objectives:• address community and First Nations

concerns for easily accessible environmental resource information prior to coalbed gas development.

• encourage responsible oil and gas development through better understanding of environmental values, with a special focus on water resources.

• contribute to science-based resource development decisions.


Environmental Resource Information ProjectAbout ERIP

Contributing to responsible development of oil and gas resources in the province.

ERIP Projects• Environmental reference database for the

Hat Creek, Peace River, Crowsnest, Bowron River, Telkwa, Klappan-Groundhog, Princeton, and Vancouver Island coalfields (Tulameen, Comox, Suquash and Nanaimo).

• Continuing updates to the online searchable bibliography now holding over 2,000 environmental bibliographic data references for B.C. coalfields.

• Ungulate Winter Range Survey of the Peace River coalfields.

• Aquifer mapping and hydrological studies in Cumberland, Anderson Lake East, Quinsam East, and Vancouver Island.

• Benthic Aquatic Invertebrate Inventories of the Crowsnest, Similkameen and Comox coalfields.

• Three Groundwater observation wells in the Comox coalfield (two at Oyster River, one at T’Sable River).

• Visual Perspective Analysis of proposed Crown petroleum and natural gas tenure sale area in the Crowsnest coalfield.

• Three-year monthly surface water quality sampling programs of 30 creeks within the Hat Creek, Similkameen, Crowsnest, Comox, and Telkwa coalfields.

• Well water inventory and aquifer mapping in the Princeton area.

• Baseline water quality sampling in the Town of Princeton’s four supply wells and data reporting to the municipality.

• Testing of synthetic coalbed gas produced water.

• Fish population and habitat studies review in the Similkameen and Crowsnest coalfields.

Contact Information:To find out more about ERIP and coalbed gas, visit www.em.gov.bc.ca/oilandgas.

For ERIP enquiries, e-mail [email protected].

For coalbed gas enquiries contact the Ministry’s Coalbed Gas Team at [email protected]

Annual Report 2006/2007 ��

Environmental Resource Information Project Sample Projects

See ERIP project map on next page.


Environmental Resource Information ProjectProject Map

Annual Report 2006/2007 �7

oil and gas environmental stewardship program · 2009. 5. 19. · annual report 2006/2007 3...

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