Directive 043

Well Logging Requirements Surface Casing Interval

November 1, 2006
Effective January 1, 2008, the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) has been realigned into two separate regulatory bodies, the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB), which regulates the energy industry, and the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), which regulates the utilities industry. As part of this realignment, the title pages of all existing EUB directives now carry the new ERCB logo. However, no other changes have been made to the directives, and they continue to have references to EUB. As new editions of the directives are issued, these references will be changed.

ENERGY RESOURCES CONSERVATION BOARD Directive 043: Well Logging RequirementsSurface Casing Interval November 1, 2006

Published by Energy Resources Conservation Board 640 5 Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 3G4 Telephone: 403-297-8311 Fax: 403-297-7040 Publications@ercb.ca Web site: www.ercb.ca

Directive 043
November 1, 2006

Well Logging RequirementsSurface Casing Interval

The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB/Board) has approved this directive on November 1, 2006. [Original signed by] M. N. McCrank, Q.C., P.Eng. Chairman The significant increase in exploration and development drilling targeting the shallow geologic column and the increasing public concern that this activity may have a negative impact on shallow aquifers have caused the EUB to consider the need for the logging of the surface casing interval. The EUB believes this additional information will greatly enhance the geological understanding of the strata behind surface casing. It will provide valuable information for the geological mapping and characterization of the shallow strata and assist all parties in the evaluation of any potential impact oil and gas activity has on shallow aquifers. As a result, the EUB has amended the well logging requirements for all wells. In addition to the requirements stated in Section 11.140(1) of the Oil and Gas Conservation Regulations, effective December 1, 2006, the surface casing interval on all new wells will require logging. This directive describes these additional requirements. For convenience and clarity, the requirements currently stated in Section 11.140(1) of the Oil and Gas Conservation Regulations are also provided. 1 New Requirements Effective December 1, 2006 Within the surface casing interval, take an acceptable log to measure

natural gamma ray response through casing from the base of surface casing to surface, and neutron response through casing from the base of surface casing to 25 metres below the surface.

Current Requirements Section 11.140(1) of the Oil and Gas Conservation Regulations requires that
1) The licensee shall, (a) before completion, abandonment or suspension of drilling operations at a well, take an acceptable log to measure the resistivity and spontaneous potential of the strata from the total depth of the well to the base of surface casing, and record all pertinent data,

EUB Directive 043: Well Logging RequirementsSurface Casing Interval (November 1, 2006)

(b) within one month of the finished or suspended drilling date of the well, whichever occurs first, submit to the Board a copy of each log, survey or chart taken at the well together with all pertinent data other than the check shot calibrations made with reference to a velocity survey, and (c) within one month of the run date, submit to the Board any additional logs taken at the well after the original logging operation. (2) Logs, surveys, charts and other data submitted under this section must be in a format acceptable to the Board. (3) The Board may on application allow substitution or grant relief from the requirements of this section where special circumstances warrant.

Enforcement If the above-mentioned requirements are not met, the EUB will enforce them in accordance with Directive 019: EUB Compliance AssuranceEnforcement.

2 EUB Directive 043: Well Logging RequirementsSurface Casing Interval (November 1, 2006)