ERS Frequently Asked Questions

Most land in Alberta has two owners and two sets of rights. The owner of the surface rights (the landowner) has control of the land’s surface and the right to work it, in addition to any sand, gravel, peat, clay or marl which can be excavated by surface operations. The owner of the mineral rights has the right to explore for and produce oil, gas and other minerals. The mineral rights for approximately 81 per cent of the province are owned by the Alberta Crown and managed by Alberta Energy. The remaining 19 per cent of the mineral rights in the province are referred to as freehold minerals or non-Crown rights and are owned privately by individuals, companies, national parks or First Nations reserves.

To obtain a land title search:

Contact an Alberta Registry Agent;
Search the Spatial Information System, Alberta Registries; or
Use Crown Land Data Support, Alberta Mineral information (AMI), formerly known as  Land Status Automated System (LSAS).

For information on Alberta Crown untitled surface lands contact Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. Phone: 780-427-3570. To call toll-free within Alberta, dial 310-0000 first.

 

Information on Crown surface and subsurface dispositions or activities is available to the public through Alberta Energy. This information is contained within the Crown Land Data Support, Alberta Mineral Information (AMI) system, formerly known as the Land Status Automated System (LSAS).  This data is essential to the management of agreements that cover Crown-owned resources, such as oil and natural gas and minerals.  

For general information and advice on issues related to oil and natural gas development, your rights as a landowner and the options available to you when oil and natural gas companies propose development on or near your property, contact the Office of the Farmer’s Advocate of Alberta. Phone: 780-427-2433. To call toll-free within Alberta, dial 310-0000 first.

For information related to environmental and public safety issues associated with oil and natural gas development contact one of the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) Regional Field Centres. Phone: 403-297-8311 (general information). To call toll-free within Alberta, dial 310-0000 first.

For additional information see the Energy Resources Conservation Board Frequently Asked Questions  (ERCB EnerFAQ7, Proposed Oil and Gas Development: a Landowner’s Guide).

For information related to surface rights and compensation related to energy development contact the Alberta Surface Rights Board. Phone: 780-427-2444. To call toll-free within Alberta, dial 310-0000 first.

 

In 2006, the oil and natural gas sector was allocated approximately seven per cent of total water allocated in Alberta through licences; less than two per cent was allocated to water and steam injection operations. By comparison, the agriculture sector (including irrigation) was allocated approximately 45 per cent while municipal water supplies accounted for almost 12 per cent of total water allocated in Alberta. 

 

Water use by the oil and natural gas industry is well regulated through a system of licensing and monitoring that ensures all industry sectors achieve provincial water conservation and productivity objectives. Alberta Environment is the provincial government department responsible for allocating and licensing the use of surface water and non-saline groundwater. Under the provincial Water Act, users of water in Alberta (i.e. agriculture, municipal, oil and gas users) must apply for a licence to divert either surface water (water from lakes, rivers and wetlands) or groundwater (fresh water obtained from underground aquifers).

Alberta's Water Act focuses on the planning, use and enforcement needed to manage and protect Alberta's water resources. The act governs and provides direction on the implementation of Alberta's Water for Life strategy supporting three main outcomes of a safe, secure drinking water supply, healthy aquatic ecosystems and reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy.

For further information on the use and management of water resources contact Alberta Environment's Water Information Centre or Water for Life website, or call 780-427-2700. To call toll-free within Alberta, dial 310-0000 first.

 

More than 50 percent of the conventional light oil produced in Alberta each year is supplied by water flooding and enhanced oil recovery projects. Water is used to improve the recovery of oil and bitumen resources. These include water flooding methods, where water displaces the oil, pushing it towards producing reservoirs, and water or steam injection methods to improve flow to a well through cyclic steam stimulation or steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). Water is used in enhanced oil recovery schemes to displace solvents, carbon dioxide or other chemicals to recover oil. Water is not used to recover natural gas resources in Alberta.

Industry is committed to managing water use responsibly. Industry’s use of surface water and groundwater for enhanced oil recovery has decreased significantly in the last 30 years, and the use of saline groundwater, or produced water that is not suitable for drinking or agricultural purposes, has increased ten times in this same period.

• Water for Life (background information and current policies and regulations related to industrial water use)

 

Government departments and regulators in Alberta manage resource development to limit negative impacts on wildlife. Each step in the exploration, development and production of Alberta's energy resources is highly regulated. Environmental regulations pertaining to the energy industry continue to evolve to meet current and anticipated future challenges.

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) is the government department responsible for managing Alberta's public land and natural resources (forests, rangelands, fish and wildlife) for the current and future benefit of all Albertans. Public land management focuses on establishing and sustaining an optimum balance of use, conservation and development of resources, in harmony with the values and needs of Albertans. SRD is actively engaged with other government departments and stakeholder groups to address: species at risk issues through the development of species recovery plans; best operating practices to mitigate or prevent industry impacts to wildlife and wildlife habitat; and funding and collaboration with universities and research institutes.

For more information on the management of Alberta’s natural resources contact Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. Phone: 780-944-0313. To call toll-free within Alberta, dial 310-0000 first.