Audit of Oil and Gas Activities for Wildfire Act Compliance

The Board conducted a limited scope compliance audit focusing on compliance with the Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation of three oil and gas companies operating under master licences to cut in the Lower Beatton Landscape Unit. Auditors examined fire hazard assessment and abatement activities for land clearing activities carried out by Venturion Oil Limited, ARC Resources Limited and Tervita between September 1, 2013, and September 23, 2015.

The audit found that Land clearing for all sites was well done, roads and pipelines were well constructed and fire hazard was abated in a timely and effective manner. However, licensees did not assess the fire hazard before they abated the hazard. Assessing fire hazard is a legal requirement and must be completed regardless of whether the hazard was abated. Consequently, the licensees are non-compliant with legislation but is not considered significant since fire hazards are being abated in an effective and timely manner. As a result, this is an area requiring improvement.