Upstream oil and gas reclamation and remediation program

This program is designed to ensure that land used for oil and gas development in Alberta is restored to a productive state.

Alberta Environment is responsible for reclamation of private land.

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development is responsible for reclamation of public land.

Companies that own wells or pipelines may apply to either department for a reclamation certificate.

View the program description
View the application process
View updates to the program
View frequently asked questions

Drilling Waste Disposal

The sampling protocol described in Fact Sheet R&R/04-1, Assessing Drilling Waste Disposal Areas, will still be accepted on sites where a Phase 2 ESA was conducted and the samples were analyzed prior to March 31, 2005.

View Assessing Drilling Waste Disposal Areas (PDF)
View Assessing Drilling Waste Disposal Areas - Calculation Tables
View Assessing Drilling Waste Disposal Areas - Checklist
View Competencies for Reclamation and Remediation

Professional Signoff

Professional Sign Off for Upstream Oil and Gas Reclamation Certificate Work

Program Developments: New Reclamation Criteria

Beginning July 1, 2010, Alberta Environment has released the 2010 Reclamation Criteria for Wellsites and Associated Facilities.  The criteria are divided into separate documents for three land uses:  Cultivated Lands, Forested Lands, and Native Grasslands.  The new criteria provide a flexible approach that reduces assessment requirements for simple sites.  A greater level of effort is required for more complex or difficult sites.  With the 2010 criteria, greater emphasis is placed on assessing crop productivity on cultivated land and re-establishing forest and native grassland ecosystems on forest and grassland sites.