AER Releases ST 60B: Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring and Venting Report

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Oct. 28, 2013) - The Alberta Energy Regulator has released its annual ST60B: Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring and Venting Report (ST60B). The report is a compilation of data related to industry flaring, venting and solution gas conservation from upstream oil and gas facilities during 2012.

AER regulations have resulted in overall flaring reductions of 59% since 1996, and venting reductions of 39% since 2000.

• Solution gas flaring in 2012 was 59% less than the provincial baseline set in 1996.
  
  
• Solution gas venting in 2012 was 39% less than the provincial baseline set in 2000.
  

The 2013 AER report notes that low natural gas prices and increased operating and capital costs resulted in a 13.2 per cent increase in flaring and a 28.7 per cent increase in venting. Industry conservation of solution gas fell from 94.5% in 2011 to 94.2% in 2012.

Alberta's success in flaring and venting reductions have been recognized and modeled globally through the endorsement of the World Bank, which is the international development branch of the United Nations.

The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of hydrocarbon resources over their entire life cycle. This includes allocating and conserving water resources, managing public lands, and protecting the environment while providing economic benefits for all Albertans.

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The Alberta Energy Regulator has released its annual report on gas flaring and venting in Alberta. The regulator notes that AER regulations have resulted in overall flaring reductions of 59% since 1996, and venting reductions of 39% since 2000.