New Edition of Directive 081
Release Date: November 5, 2019
Effective date: November 5, 2019
Replaces previous edition issued November 21, 2012
Today, we released a new edition of Directive 081: Water Disposal Limits and Reporting Requirements for Thermal In Situ Oil Sands Schemes. It consolidates various aspects of water management requirements for thermal in situ oil sands operations. It sets water disposal limits and includes guidance for reporting facility water streams to Petrinex. The goal is for operators to minimize the use of high-quality nonsaline make-up water by recycling produced water efficiently and using alternative water sources where possible. Efficient water treatment, recycling, and disposal at thermal operations will optimize overall water use and energy efficiency.
A draft of the directive was released June 20, 2019, and public feedback was accepted through July 19, 2019. A summary of the feedback, including our responses, is available on the directive’s webpage.
Directive 081 is available on the AER website, www.aer.ca. Printed copies of the directive can be purchased from AER Information Distribution Services, Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4; telephone: 403-297-8311 or 1-855-297-8311 (toll free; option 0); fax: 403-297-7040; email: InformationRequest@aer.ca.