NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2010EMPR0026-000683 June 9, 2010

Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

 

OIL AND GAS SETBACKS ENHANCED FOR SCHOOLS AND HOMES

 

VICTORIA – A 1,000-metre exclusion zone plus a 1,000-metre enhanced management area around schools and community centres, along with a new 250-metre mediated drilling distance, plus a 250-metre enhanced management area for residences, will help address concerns for people living near new oil and gas developments, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister and Peace River South MLA Blair Lekstrom announced today.

 

“I’m delivering on my commitment to ensure setback distances are enhanced and make sense for residents and industry alike,” said Lekstrom. “These steps will ensure there are no new wells drilled or facilities constructed within one kilometre of a school or community centre, and residents will see additional safety measures for any activity taking place within half-a-kilometre from their home.”

 

A setback is the absolute minimum distance that must be maintained where people live or gather between a well or production facility regulated by the BC Oil and Gas Commission. The 1,000-metre exclusion zone for schools and community centres will mean no new activity within that distance, and an additional 1,000 metres will be subject to an enhanced management area. That area will require a site assessment for safety and security, establish a system for leak detection and control, and require automated detection and shutdown.

 

The 500-metre enhanced management area around residences will include provisions for residents to have a meeting with the industry proponent mediated by the BC Oil and Gas Commission for any proposed activity within 250 metres of a home.

 

The BC Oil and Gas Commission will also be undertaking a program to ensure more information is made available to residents about industry practices, facilitate long-term and ongoing air quality monitoring for the Peace region, and set up advisory groups to tackle specific technical themes like water quality.

 

“I applaud the commission for the steps it’s taking to ensure residents are given the best information about the oil and gas industry, which is so vital to British Columbia’s economy,” added Lekstrom. “New resources and tools will help residents and industry to interact with each other and address issues and concerns face-to-face.”

 

 

The Oil and Gas Activities Act coming into force this fall will also provide a new benchmark with safety-focused regulations and practices, including provisions for consultation and notification, and drilling and production.

 

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Media Contact:

Jake Jacobs Media Relations Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources 250 952-0628 250 213-6934 (cell)

 

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