Natural Gas News
Government announces new Market Surveillance Administrator (September 16, 2009)
Edmonton... Harry Chandler has been selected as Alberta’s new Market Surveillance Administrator (MSA). The MSA, created in 2003, is responsible for ensuring Alberta’s electricity and natural gas markets operate in a fair, efficient and openly competitive manner.
Government moves forward on carbon capture projects (June 30, 2009)
Edmonton... The Alberta government has completed its evaluation of projects applying for $2 billion in funding for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.
As a result, government officials will pursue letters of intent with proponents of the three following projects:
- Enhance / Northwest for The Alberta Carbon Trunk Line
- EPCOR/Enbridge for an integrated gasification combined-cycle carbon capture power generation
- Shell Canada Energy/ Chevron Canada Ltd./ Marathon Oil Sands L.P. (Scotford Upgrader)
Alberta's Bitumen Production Forecast To Continue To Grow (June 10, 2009) ERCB release
Alberta expected to produce over 3 million barrels of oil per day by 2018
Calgary, Alberta... The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) has released its annual report Alberta's Reserves 2008 and Supply/Demand Outlook 2009-2018. Based on the ERCB’s own geological and technical analysis, this report is a source of information on the state of reserves and the supply and demand for Alberta's diverse energy resources: bitumen, crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, coal, and sulphur. It includes estimates of reserves at December 31, 2008 and a 10-year supply/demand forecast for each resource. A supply/demand forecast of electricity in Alberta is also provided. The report also includes historical data for energy resources production.
New energy legislation promotes sustainable energy production (March 18, 2009)
Energy Statutes Amendment Act updates existing legislation
Edmonton... New legislation introduced in the Alberta Legislature will expand the orphan well liability program to include large energy facilities, give the province the authority to take bitumen royalty-in-kind and eliminate inefficiencies found in current energy legislation.
Province announces three-point incentive program for energy sector (March 3, 2009)
Short-term initiative to stimulate new and continued economic activity
Edmonton…The Government of Alberta has announced a new three-point incentive program designed to help keep Albertans working in the province’s energy sector during the current global economic slowdown. Read More - Royalty Information - Fact Sheet 
- FAQ Incentive program - New Well Reduction - Orphan Well Grant Agreement and Workplan
Natural gas price triggers rebate for January (January 2, 2009)
Albertans will receive $1.50/GJ rebate
Edmonton... Albertans will save approximately $35 on their January gas bill, thanks to the Natural Gas Rebate program.
Rebates are triggered when two of the three regulated natural gas companies charge regulated rates above $5.50/GJ. Most residential consumers will have the rebate applied directly to their monthly gas bill. Large scale commercial or industrial consumers, select agricultural producers, and those who heat their homes with other fuels need to apply for rebates.
Natural gas price triggers rebate for December (December 1, 2008)
Albertans will receive $1.50/GJ rebate
Edmonton... Albertans will save approximately $33 on their December gas bill, thanks to the Natural Gas Rebate program.
Rebates are triggered when two of the three regulated natural gas companies charge regulated rates above $5.50/GJ.
Wells commenced after November 19, 2008 eligible for transitional royalty rates (November 24, 2008)
Edmonton...The Government of Alberta has announced a clarification to the transitional royalty rates it will offer companies drilling new oil and gas wells beginning in 2009. To ensure that all preparatory or drilling work planned to begin from the time the rates were announced until the end of year continues as scheduled, wells commenced between November 19 and December 31, 2008 will be eligible for the transitional royalty rates.
Alberta to offer transitional royalty rates to promote new drilling (November 19, 2008)
All existing wells and oil sands projects to move to new framework January 1, 2009
Edmonton...In response to the global economic crisis and a slowdown in oil and gas drilling throughout the province, the Government of Alberta will provide companies drilling certain new wells after January 1, 2009 with a one-time option of selecting new transitional royalty rates. By helping ensure companies have access to the cash flow they need to invest in new projects, this five-year program is aimed at encouraging the development of new drilling projects and keeping thousands of Albertans at work.
Webber promotes Alberta's approach to energy development (November 13, 2008)
Edmonton... Len Webber, MLA for Calgary-Foothills and Alberta Energy Parliamentary Assistant, delivers a presentation on Alberta’s plan for resource development, November 17 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Webber will represent Alberta at the 2008 Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission’s (IOGCC) annual meeting.
The annual meeting takes place November 15 through 18 and includes the IOGCC’s member governors and their representatives, federal and state regulators, legislators and a cross-section of industry representatives. This year’s theme is “The Challenges of Unconventional Oil and Natural Gas.”
Natural gas price triggers rebate for November (November 3, 2008)
Albertans will receive $1.50/GJ rebate
Edmonton... Albertans will save approximately $27 on their November gas bill, thanks to the Natural Gas Rebate program. Rebates are triggered when two of the three regulated natural gas companies charge regulated rates above $5.50/GJ. Most residential consumers will have the rebate applied directly to their monthly gas bill. Large scale commercial or industrial consumers, select agricultural producers, and those who heat their homes with other fuels need to apply for rebates.
Natural gas price triggers rebate for October (October 2, 2008)
Albertans will receive $1.50/ GJ rebate
Edmonton... Albertans will save approximately $14 on their October gas bill, thanks to the Natural Gas Rebate program.
Rebates are triggered when two of the three regulated natural gas companies charge regulated rates above $5.50/GJ. Most residential consumers will have the rebate applied directly to their monthly gas bill. Large scale commercial or industrial consumers, select agricultural producers, and those who heat their homes with other fuels need to apply for rebates.
Progress continues on coalbed methane recommendations (July 5, 2008)
Edmonton... The Alberta government continues to make progress on the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommendations. Of the 42 accepted recommendations, 41 are either in progress or completed.
“Coalbed methane and other unconventional gas resources represent the future of Alberta’s natural gas industry,” said Mel Knight, Minister of Energy. “Implementing these recommendations will help ensure this resource is developed responsibly.” MAC II Report
Energy Minister to showcase Alberta’s commitment to responsible energy development at World Petroleum Congress in Spain (June 23, 2008)
Minister will also speak to investors in London, England
Edmonton… Alberta Energy Minister Mel Knight will highlight Alberta’s work to ensure the sustainable development of our resources at the World Petroleum Congress June 29 – July 3 in Madrid, Spain. Knight will present a keynote address at the congress on July 3 and will also travel to London, England to speak to the business community at the Canada-U.K. Chamber of Commerce on July 7.
Announcement follows analysis of New Royalty Framework unintended consequences
Calgary... The Government of Alberta has introduced two new royalty programs designed to encourage the continued development of deep, high-cost oil and gas reserves. The resulting exploration and development are expected to generate additional jobs and royalty revenues for Albertans.
Province to improve royalty system evaluation and public reporting (April 7, 2008)
Edmonton... The Government of Alberta will implement 13 recommendations to enhance how the performance of the royalty regime is measured and how that performance is reported back to Albertans.
The recommendations were included by former provincial Auditor General Peter Valentine in his report Building Confidence: Improving Accountability and Transparency in Alberta’s Royalty System.
Cold weather boosts natural gas rebate (March 4, 2008)
Rebate of $3.25/GJ approved for March
Edmonton... Colder weather across North America has increased demand for natural gas and cut sharply into storage inventories, boosting natural gas prices to their highest point this winter. To help offset increased heating costs, Albertans will receive a $3.25 per gigajoule (GJ) natural gas rebate for the month of March. The rebate will save the average Albertan household approximately $52 on their March natural gas bill.
Colder weather increases natural gas rebate (February 1, 2008)
Rebate of $2.50/GJ approved for February
Edmonton... With the mercury dropping to colder temperatures, Albertans will receive a $2.50 per gigajoule (GJ) natural gas rebate for the month of February. The rebate will save the average Albertan household approximately $45 on their February natural gas bill.
2008 begins with natural gas rebate for Albertans (December 31, 2007)
Rebate of $1.50/GJ triggered for January
Edmonton... Albertans will start the year with a $1.50 per gigajoule (GJ) rebate, saving the average Alberta household approximately $35 on their January natural gas bill. January marks the second consecutive month that Albertans have received a natural gas rebate through the Natural Gas Rebate Program.
Natural gas rebate triggered for December (November 30, 2007)
Albertans receive $1.50/GJ rebate
Edmonton... Albertans can expect to see a rebate of $1.50 per gigajoule (GJ) on their December natural gas bills, as temperatures have dropped and driven natural gas prices upwards. The Natural Gas Rebate Program will save the average Alberta household around $33 on their December natural gas bill.
Natural gas rebate not triggered for November (October 31, 2007)
Continued high natural gas storage levels keep prices low
Edmonton... Continued low natural gas prices caused by record-high natural gas storage levels in the United States and mild autumn weather have kept prices below the natural gas rebate threshold. Rebates are triggered when two of the three regulated natural gas providers charge regulated rates above $5.50/GJ. This month, two of the three providers are charging rates below that level.
High natural gas inventories keep prices low Prices below rebate threshold (October 1, 2007)
Edmonton... The first winter month of the 2007/08 Natural Gas Rebate Program sees Albertans enjoying relatively low natural gas prices caused by near-record high storage levels. As a result, the natural gas rebate will not be issued in October.
Royalty Review Panel final report released to public
Government to respond by mid-October (September 18, 2007)
Edmonton... The Government of Alberta has publicly released the final report of an expert panel asked to examine the province’s energy royalty and tax regime, following through on a commitment to make the royalty review process open and transparent. Entitled Our Fair Share, the 104-page report provides recommendations about how the government can modify the existing provincial royalty structure.
Energy sector teams up to tackle labour challenges (July 10, 2007)
Calgary... Alberta's energy associations and employers are taking action to address labour shortages with the release of A Workforce Strategy for Alberta's Energy Sector which contains 46 new actions for recruiting, retaining, and developing the workforce.
Rebate application deadline for propane, heating oil and kerosene extended to July 31
(July 5, 2007)
Edmonton... Consumers of propane, home heating oil and kerosene now have until July 31 to apply for rebates under the 2006-2007 Natural Gas Rebate Program.
Coalbed methane recommendations ahead of schedule (June 25, 2007)
Edmonton… The Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) has released the first of its annual progress reports on recommendations made to the Alberta government to help ensure the safe and responsible development of coalbed methane in the province.
Deadline approaches for consumers applying for natural gas rebates (June 18, 2007)
Edmonton... Natural gas, propane and home heating oil consumers have until June 30 to apply for rebates under the 2006-2007 Natural Gas Rebate Program. Propane, heating oil and agriculture consumers among those required to apply.
Province supports three innovative energy projects (March 20, 2007)
Edmonton… Three innovative energy projects may generate new ways to recover previously untapped energy resources, thanks to support from the Alberta government.
Cooler temperatures trigger higher rebates in March (March 1, 2007)
$3.25 per gigajoule rebate provided on natural gas bills this month
Edmonton...Residential consumers in Alberta will save an average of $52 on their natural gas bills in March thanks to Alberta's Natural Gas Rebate Program. More than one million homes and businesses will receive the automatic rebate in March.
Albertans receive natural gas rebates in February (February 1, 2007)
$1.50 per gigajoule rebate triggered on natural gas bills this month
Edmonton...More than one million Alberta homes and businesses will receive an automatic rebate of $1.50 per gigajoule (GJ) on their February natural gas bills. This will save the average Alberta residential consumer around $27 this month thanks to the Natural Gas Rebate Program.
