Waterline Resources Inc. Recent/Emerging Alberta Water Regulations: Non-Saline/Saline Water Use Jamie Wills M.Sc., P.Geol. Principal Hydrogeologist [email protected]
Waterline Resources Inc.
Recent/Emerging Alberta Water Regulations: Non-Saline/Saline Water Use
Jamie Wills M.Sc., P.Geol.Principal [email protected]
Waterline Resources Inc.
Recent/Emerging AB Water Regs.Presentation Outline
What a Difference a ½ Year MakesThe Alberta AdvantageFreedom to Create, Spirit to Achieve
A Quick Look Back (and forward)
The Impacts of Growth on WaterGrowth Management (Growing Pains)
Recent/Emerging RegulationsCase StudiesThe Future –?Questions and “Some” Answers
Waterline Resources Inc.
What A Difference a (½) Year Makes…
Years 2000 – 2008“The Alberta Advantage”
Growth > regulations, > capacity of water professionals
Years 2009 – 20??“Freedom to Create, Spirit to Achieve”, but…
“Dirty Oil”, royalty reviewGlobal downturn, commodity $ ↓Alberta’s future …
Long-term = assured Short-term = ????
Waterline Resources Inc.
Natural resources +
Canada’s stable political structure+
Open-door investment policy=
Growth
The Alberta Future (growth will come back)
Waterline Resources Inc.
The Challenge of Growth
So recognizing that growthVaries by regionWater avail. varies by regionAll growth requires water
Waterline Resources Inc.
Alta Water RegsHow have we been doing? +
What works
What could work better
A few case studies to illustrate
So with budget/funding cuts in mind…
Waterline Resources Inc.
Alta Regulatory Setting – Water
Based on Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)AENV for TDS < 4,000 mg/L
Non-saline or freshERCB for TDS > 4,000 mg/L
Saline or brackishAENV-ERCB MOU signed in Dec/07
Work closer together
Waterline Resources Inc.
Regulatory Setting – Alta Govn’t
Water For Life Strategy (Alta Gov., 2003)Integrated (GW + SW)
Dovetails with earlier studiesAll Alta watershedsRight direction, but…Take years and cost $$$
Above balanced againstRequirement to maximize royalties (Alta. Gov.)Huge % of royalties that are water-assisted
Waterline Resources Inc.
Regulatory Setting - AENV
GW Eval. Guide. (2006)CBM (with ERCB, 2006)Oilfield Injection (2007)3PC process (2007)Interpretation of Q20 (2008/09)Draft Bitumen/Non-Saline (2009)TDS: Non-saline status update to 10,000 mg/L (20??)
Waterline Resources Inc.
Case Studies – AENV Water Act
License TransfersFramework to allow for transfers, 10% hold-back
But, opportunities for review…Program in infancyComplex, limited where/how can occurExamples:
Apr/09 WATSUP conference (Australia example)Non-continuous to continuous diversion (irrigation to bottled water)
Finish watershed master plans
Waterline Resources Inc.
Case Studies – AENV Water Act
Coalbed methane (Guideline and D35)New industry and needed regsStandardized process across the board
But, opportunities for review…Awaiting feedback from AENVParameters added to template, limited consultation400 m consultation, what tests are valid, etcWhat constitutes due diligence on offer to test
Waterline Resources Inc.
Case Studies – AENV Water Act
WCAPFOI (i.e. new OIP)Provided necessary update to 1989 reg
Example: Needed to apply to GW and SW (no GZ-WZ map)
But, opportunities for review…Very “grey” documentApplication process iterativeExamples:
Search radius Economic assessmentNet environmental assessment
Waterline Resources Inc.
Case Studies – AENV Water Act
3PC review process for EIAsDesigned to de-bottleneck the system
But, opportunities for review…Need to streamline process furtherNeed to reduce SIR iteration process
Waterline Resources Inc.
Case Studies – AENV Water Act
GW Evaluation GuidelineStreamlined the license appln. process
But, opportunities for review…Q20 (original intent vs. application)Examples
Communal water supply or a well field (a Colony)Deemed license (injection)License transfers
Waterline Resources Inc.
Case Studies – AENV Water Act
The FutureDraft Bitumen in Contact with Non-Saline Water(and Future Non-Saline Update to 10,000 mg/L TDS)
But, opportunities for review…Grandfathering of projectsRecognition of S. Alta vs. N. Alta differences
Waterline Resources Inc.
Regulatory Setting – ERCB + H20Directive 35 (2006)Directive 27 (2007 and 2009 Update)Directive 44 (2007)3PC process (2007)Draft Thermal - Water Use (2009)Draft Directive 008 (2009)Saline update to 10,000 mg/L TDS (20??)
Waterline Resources Inc.
Case Studies – ERCB (Shallow Gas + H20)
Directive 035 (and D 027)New industry that required regulation
But, opportunities for review…Clarity on what constitutes a valid offer to test
Due diligence, consult. radius, overlapping offer to test, etcIndustry needs feedback on work-to-date dataDoes not apply to non-CBM shallow gas
But D 027 does and it has been updated (in draft)(Increased protection of GW resources)
Waterline Resources Inc.
Case Studies – ERCB (Shallow Gas + H20)
Directive 044 (working with AENV)
New industry that required regulation
But, opportunities for review…Says if pump > 5 m3/mth, see AENV for a license (Water Act)But AENV license process unclear
Approval or Code of Practice rather than License?Reality of 20 + year old wells equipped with pump jacks(can’t accurately measure GW levels)
Waterline Resources Inc.
Case Studies – ERCB + EIAs/New OIP
Review of EIAs for energy projectsAs energy regulator, input needed
But, opportunities for review…Reduce iteration
What do Tier minimum search radii actually meanEconomic analysis assessmentWhat constitutes due diligence
Waterline Resources Inc.
Future – ERCB + H20
Draft Directive - Limit Non-Saline and Saline Make-upAs proposed…
Limit of 10 % non-saline water useLimit of 25 % of saline water useLimited provision to recognize:
Efficient operatorsReservoir physics (reservoir retention beyond operator control)
Expected outcome = slow pace of Alta. developmentOK if that is the intent
Waterline Resources Inc.
Future – ERCB + H20Draft Directive 008 – surface casing, water wells locations, etc
As proposed (updated)…Increased protection of GW-SW resources
Depth of surface casing related to water well searchDrilling near river valleys (high hazard areas listed)Conductor casing and BOPs (for flowing artesian conditions)
Waterline Resources Inc.
Alberta and Water – the Future
So where are likely going with water in Alberta?(we need to get this right)
Waterline Resources Inc.
Coalbed Methane
Public Issue: CBM impact on GW supplies?
The future?Shallow gas here to stay, expansion likelyMore homeworkEducation and ownership
What role must GW professionals play?Govn’t = Increased staffing and fundingPrivate = Mentoring and education
Waterline Resources Inc.
Large Energy Projects
Public Issue: Water use, cumulative impacts, etcThe future?
Expansion (definite, but timing?)More homeworkEducation and ownership
What role must GW professionals play?Govn’t = Increased staffing and fundingPrivate = Mentoring and education
Waterline Resources Inc.
Rural (Counties) Relying on GWPublic Issue: Is water managed sustainably?
Why?Limit understanding of GWLimited monitoring
The future (present)?Initiating GW monitoringProvincial or federal funding assistance required
What role must GW professionals play?Work with Counties (AENV, ARC, AGS, PFRA, etc)Direct and execute studiesInteract with related disciplinesKnowledge transfer and mentoring
Waterline Resources Inc.
Counties (continued)
Issue: Approving residential developments?Why?
Approved on an individual basisNo cumulative consideration
The future?Improved understanding of GW resourcesCumulative approach
What role must GW professionals play?Work with Counties (AENV, Alta Ag., PFRA, etc)Direct and execute studiesInteract with related disciplinesKnowledge transfer and mentoring
Waterline Resources Inc.
Watershed Mgmnt PlansIssue: Where is watershed mgmnt going?
Why?SW well understood, GW - notComponents considered in isolation Who will take the lead (AENV, ARC, AGS, ERCB)?
The future?Uncertain because of uncertain commitment to funding
What role must GW professionals play?Direct and execute studiesInteract with related disciplinesKnowledge transfer and mentoring
Waterline Resources Inc.
So…, where do we go?Water requires stable funding
$50-100 million/yr for next 5-10 yrsHow do we do that?
Get and keep water on the radar screenDecide on who will take the leadIncrease dialogueAlberta requires a high profile water conferenceCould be WaterTech
Waterline Resources Inc.
The Future will Happen
But how?Wishful thinking inadequateWe will be judged by our kidsWhat role will you play?
Waterline Resources Inc.
ClosureThank YouQuestions & “Some” Answers