Resource Conservation Branch
PO Box 9329 Stn Prov Gov’t
Victoria, BC V8W 9N3 		Phone: (250) 952-0310
Fax: (250) 952-0301
Alt: (250) 952-0311

GUIDELINE FOR APPROVAL OF A SCHEME TO DISPOSE OF ACID GAS

An application for a scheme to dispose of produced acid gas under Section 100 of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act may contain, when applicable:

  • a diagram of the proposed disposal well completion showing existing and proposed completion intervals, casing and tubing details, depth of packers and nature of the inhibited fluid to be used in the annulus;

  • the location of all wells within the scheme area and status of each zone in which the wells have been completed;

  • casing, completion intervals, tubing and bridge plug data for each well in the scheme;

  • a map showing the locations of surface rights owners within a 2-kilometre radius of the proposed disposal well;

  • a map showing title holders within a 3-kilometre radius, as well as any underlying and overlying the disposal zone;

  • a map showing the status and completion zone for all wells within 3 kilometres of the proposed disposal well;

  • a structure map and a net pay map of the pool into which disposal is proposed;

  • geological cross-sections through the pool, including the disposal well, and showing all gas-oil, gas-water, oil-water contacts and upper and lower bounding formations;

  • a general discussion of the geology of the pool, including details of stratigraphic traps, dip and strike;

  • a discussion of the reservoir rock properties including continuity and thickness of base and caprock, evidence of fracturing and comments on the effectiveness of pool boundaries;

  • the analysis of the native reservoir fluid and composition of the acid gas stream, including phase behavior for the expected range of pressures and temperatures;

  • a discussion and analysis of laboratory testing for determining injected fluid interaction with reservoir matrix, caprock matrix and native fluids;

  • the results of migration calculations made to estimate radius of influence, interface movements in the pool, and injectivity performance of the disposal well;

  • a discussion on bottom hole injection pressure, maximum sandface pressure, fracture propagation pressure and formation fracture pressure;

  • a description of the expected acid gas disposal rates, the expected life of scheme and backup plans should the well suffer a loss of injectivity;

  • an estimate of the daily volumes of acid gas to be disposed of, and its effect, if any, on the recovery of oil or gas from the pool;

  • a discussion of monitoring of reservoir and top hole pressures, and fluid migration;

  • a diagram of the surface injection facility, pipelines and operating pressures;

  • a diagram showing the measurement facilities for the acid gas stream;

  • written statements of no objection to the proposed scheme from all parties that may be affected. Examples of such statements are provided here and here;

  • a general discussion of the need for acid gas disposal and an economic comparison of the options investigated.

Three copies of the application are to be submitted to the Director of the Resource Conservation Branch of the Oil and Gas Commission in Victoria at the address noted above. A fourth copy is to be forwarded to the Manager, Operation Engineering of the Oil and Gas Commission in Fort St. John (200 10003 110 Ave, Fort St. John BC V1J 6M7). Notice of an application may be published in The British Columbia Gazette.