British Columbia 

Canada’s Second Largest Natural Gas Producer

Our industry is growing rapidly in British Columbia. The province is already the second-largest natural gas producer in Canada and more activity is on the horizon. Companies have been setting records for the amount of land they have leased from the provincial government, especially in the northeast area of the province.

British Columbia’s Natural Gas

There are different types of natural gas in British Columbia: conventional gas that flows freely to the surface, and other gases that do not flow naturally. These types of gases are found within rock or other formations and require different production techniques to extract. Shale gas (gas stored in shale rock formations) and natural gas from coal (gas found in coal deposits) are two of these types of gas.

Hydraulic Fracturing - BC Oil and Gas Commission disclosure form

Respecting British Columbia’s Environment

As with all areas where we operate, we work hard to make sure we’re minimizing impacts on the environment. Some of the environmental issues we’re working on in British Columbia include:

Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions

Keeping the air clean

Using water wisely

Protecting residents that live near sour gas wells

Operating Safely

Our industry is working to improve our safety performance on the roads we use in British Columbia – we want to keep both workers and residents safe.

Find out more about industry’s safety practices

Science and Community Environmental Knowledge Fund

In 1998, the Government of British Columbia entered into an agreement with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the Small Explorers and Producers Association of Canada (SEPAC) to establish the Environment Fund (the Fund), which would be administered by the Oil and Gas Commission (OGC). The Fund was allocated $5 million over five years to support studies concerning practical ways of addressing environmental issues related to oil and gas exploration and development in British Columbia.

In 2002, CAPP and SEPAC restated their support of the Fund for a total of $9 million. They also agreed to refocus and rename the Fund, changing it from a purely research-based, environment fund to a broader based fund which incorporates science and community environmental knowledge-thus the new name Science and Community Environmental Knowledge Fund (SCEK Fund).

The purpose of the SCEK Fund (the Fund), as stated in the March 24, 2005, agreement between the founding parties, is to support and facilitate research concerning practical ways of addressing environmental issues related to oil and gas exploration in British Columbia. This fund does not replicate research that is the responsibility of government.

Study findings will be incorporated, where appropriate, into practices and regulations. Science and Community Environmental Knowledge Fund
(scek.ca)