Despite admitting there is an increasing trend of inactive well sites awaiting reclamation, the BC Oil and Gas Commission has slashed its budget for its orphan site reclamation fund from $4.83 million in 2013 to just $1 million in 2014.
According to the Orphan Well Association, “an orphan is a well, pipeline, facility or associated site which has been investigated and confirmed as not having any legally responsible or financially able party to deal with its abandonment and reclamation.”
Earlier this year, the BC Ministry of Finance announced the 2014 Budget, focused on LNG development. According to the budget, the Liberals plan to spend $29 million over the next three years on LNG development alone. The National Energy Board also approved seven LNG export applications for BC, touted as the basis for a $100 billion Prosperity Fund that will wipe out the province’s debt by 2028.
Amara McLaughlin – Common Sense Canadians – April 17, 2014.