Enhanced Standards Announced For Coalbed Methane

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2007EMPR0007-000130
Feb. 14, 2007

Office of the Premier
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

VICTORIA – British Columbia will meet or beat best practices in North America for commercially viable coalbed methane production and will be the first jurisdiction in Canada, if not North America, to require no surface discharge of “produced water” from coalbed methane, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

“Our province has enormous potential for the development of low carbon, coalbed methane production that will reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions on the Pacific Coast,” said Premier Campbell. “However, our government is aware of the legitimate concerns that British Columbians have about how this resource is developed and we are determined to make B.C.’s coalbed methane production the most environmentally responsible in North America.”

Today’s announcement is another component of the Province’s forthcoming energy plan and builds on the announcements in yesterday’s throne speech.The new leading standards include:

– Companies will not be allowed to surface discharge produced water. Any re-injected produced water must be injected well below any domestic water aquifer.
– Companies must use the most advanced technology and practices that are commercially viable to minimize land and aesthetic disturbances.
– Companies must fully engage local communities and First Nations in all stages of development.

Coalbed methane is a natural gas found underground between coal seams. While the gas itself is clean, extraction may result in what is known by industry as produced water. This produced water may contain high saline and sodium content, making it unsuitable for agriculture or domestic use.

There are currently no commercially producing coalbed methane gas wells in B.C., however it has been identified as a potentially viable clean energy source for the province. There are currently 134 test wells throughout the B.C.

Campbell also announced that, as of today, all new electricity generation projects in the province will have zero net greenhouse gas emissions.

“This reinforces the high environmental standards already required for the oil and gas industry,” said Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Richard Neufeld. “British Columbians are telling us we must do more as a government and as individuals. We will act to stem the growth of global warming and minimize the impacts already unleashed by establishing targets and actions and by working with our national and international neighbours.”

This builds on other climate change actions announced in yesterday’s throne speech:

– Effective immediately, B.C. will become the first jurisdiction in North America, if not the world, to require 100 per cent carbon sequestration for any coal-fired electricity project.
– The Climate Action Team will be asked to identify practicable options and actions for making the government of B.C. carbon neutral by 2010.
– The new energy plan will require British Columbia to be electricity self-sufficient by 2016.

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Media contact:

Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 213-8218