Alberta Issues Draft Methane Reduction Rules

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) on April 24 issued draft methane reduction requirements calling for upstream oil and gas operators to cut methane emissions by 45%, relative to 2014 levels, by 2025.

The requirements, developed by a multi-stakeholder committee, address the primary sources of methane emissions from Alberta’s upstream oil and gas industry: fugitive emissions and venting, which includes emissions from compressors, pneumatic devices, and glycol dehydrators. Alberta’s upstream oil and gas industry accounted for about 70% of the province’s total methane emissions in 2014.

The draft requirements are open to public comment until May 28, after which final requirements will be developed.