The BC Energy Regulator has introduced updated safety guidelines for oil and gas companies managing saline fluids from hydraulic fracturing, a move that increases oversight for operations throughout Dawson Creek. These new rules, which took effect on April 7, 2026, clarify how companies must handle storage facilities, monitor groundwater, and maintain dams to ensure safer practices in the region.
Dawson Creek sits at the heart of the Montney Play, one of North America’s largest unconventional gas formations. Because of the area’s significant role in the energy sector, the province is focusing on making regulatory requirements more precise. The updated guidelines, referred to as Version 1.3, specifically target how companies manage, transfer, and store produced water and other saline fluids.
One major change involves storage facilities where fluid is kept above the natural ground level, often called live storage. Under the new rules, these sites are now officially classified as dam-like structures. This classification requires operators to provide more detailed safety documentation, including plans for maintenance and regular inspections. The updated guidelines reference standards from the Canadian Dam Association to help companies manage these structures safely.
The regulator has also strengthened rules for monitoring groundwater near these storage areas. Companies are now expected to install at least four monitoring wells around their containment systems, with at least one well located along each side of the facility. These wells must be in place before the facility begins operation.
Furthermore, the guidance has been reorganized to clearly distinguish between smaller storage systems and larger, high-volume operations. Sites storing more than 6,600 cubic metres of fluid now face stricter rules, which include the use of multiple impermeable liners and advanced leak detection systems.
These professional designs and monitoring plans must be certified by experts registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Operators or residents with questions about these updated safety standards can contact Sean Babulic, the manager of environmental support at the regulator, at 250-883-4958 or by email at [email protected].
