Directive 065: Resources Applications for Oil and Gas Reservoirs ...

Unit 2 Conservation
2.1 Application for an Enhanced Recovery Scheme
2.1.1 Introduction
2.1.1.1 Background
Enhanced recovery (ER) involves the improvement of hydrocarbon recovery through the
injection of fluid(s) into a hydrocarbon reservoir to
• add to or maintain reservoir energy (pressure),
• displace hydrocarbons to production wells, or
• alter the reservoir fluids so that hydrocarbon flow and recovery are improved.
An application to implement or amend an ER scheme is required in accordance with Section
39(1)(a) of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act. Additional approvals from the ERCB or other
government agencies may also be required to implement an ER scheme.
If changes to an existing ER scheme approval are required, an application must be made for
the appropriate amendment(s).
2.1.1.2 Application Process
A) How to Make an ER Scheme Application
An ER application must be made using the Enhanced Recovery Scheme application form (see
Appendix F). This form, in addition to Schedule 1 and the required attachments, must be
included in the application. This information should be submitted electronically using the
Electronic Application Submission (EAS) process accessed through the Digital Data
Submission (DDS) screen on the ERCB’s Web site www.ercb.ca. The ERCB will validate all
applications to ensure that the requirements for ER schemes have been met. Incomplete
applications or those containing significant errors will be closed.
This application process does not apply to crude bitumen ER schemes in the oil sands areas.
An application for these schemes must be submitted in paper form (outside of EAS) and must
comply with the Oil Sands Conservation Act (Section 10 for new schemes, or Section 13 for
an amendment to an existing scheme).
B) How the ERCB Processes the Application
The ERCB reviews all ER scheme applications to ensure that hydrocarbon recovery will be
optimized and that all ER scheme requirements are met. ER scheme applications meeting the
base criteria detailed in Figure 2.1 will be processed in an expedited manner under a quick
ER application process.
Those applications qualifying for the quick process will be dispositioned under a process that
shifts the review emphasis from scheme design (application) to scheme performance (audit).
Applications not meeting these base criteria will require a more detailed review addressing
those areas in which the criteria are not met.
ERCB Directive 065: Resources Applications / Enhanced Recovery Scheme (October 2011) • 2-1