Producers in Alberta are subject to measurement schematics regulations as part of Directive 017. Do you have questions
about what you need to do to remain compliant? In this blog post, we hope to give answers to some of those questions to help you get there.
What facilities do I need to create measurement schematics for?
Producers must have a well detailed measurement schematic for all active facilities, with no grandfathering for active facilities. Any reactivated facility must have an up-to-date schematic within three months of reactivation or after the implementation period, whichever is later.
Who is responsible for measurement schematics?
The Operator is responsible for the creation, confirmation, and revision of any measurement schematics used. “Operator” is defined in the Oil and Gas Conservation Act as one who “has control of or undertakes the day to day operations and activities at a well or facility, or keeps records and submits production reports for a well or facility to the Regulator”.
Which is to say that the operator and accountant must work together to ensure what is on the schematic is correct and reported accordingly, even if they are separate entities.
What are the general requirements for an approved schematic?
Elements and information presented in a schematic must be clear and inclusive. How they are shown is up to the Operator, but the preference is 1 to 2 pages for each facility. Data can be stored electronically and/or in hard copy format.
Note: PFDs and P&IDs are not considered measurement schematics.
How long do I need to keep my schematics on file?
A master copy must be retained with previous versions for a minimum of 18 months in Alberta, Canada.
How often do schematics need to be updated?
The master copy must be updated annually, including a documented record even when no changes occurred at the annual update.
Who do I provide the schematics to?
Schematics must be provided by the Operator to the following external parties upon request:
- Facility licensee of the subject facility
- The company(s) that performs the volumetric reporting for the facility
- The company(s) that performs the product and residue gas allocation up to the allocation point(s)
- AER or other regulatory bodies
- Operator of receipt and disposition points (all reporting measurement points for the facility only)
With these answers, hopefully you have a better idea of what the AER regulations require and what you need to do to meet them. There can be a lot of other smaller details one needs to know in order to achieve complete compliance, so it can be important to seek out an expert if you’re concerned about the readiness of your organization. Please contact our Experts for help.
