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Support for British Columbia’s Oil and Gas Industry
The provincial government introduced the Oil and Gas Initiative (OGI) in May 1998, to encourage
British Columbia’s oil and gas sector to expand and make it easier for oil and gas firms to do
business in British Columbia.
The Oil and Gas Initiative provides regulatory efficiencies, tax efficiencies, and investments
in infrastructure. With the support of the Oil and Gas Initiative, government aims to double oil & gas production in the province and
stimulate $25 billion in industry investment over the next
decade.
Recognizing the oil and gas sector potential, the province has made a
major commitment to modernize the management and regulation of its oil and
gas resources. The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has the following
Divisions and Branches working collaboratively to achieve a better future
for the BC oil and gas industry and benefits for British Columbians.
Additionally, the Oil and Gas Commission (OGC),
a Crown corporation was created by the provincial government in October 1998 to regulate crude oil,
natural gas and pipeline activities in the province of British Columbia. The Commission was established
to efficiently expedite the review process for oil and gas sector applications, and to ensure that
environmental, economic and social impacts are taken into account before any developmental activities
are undertaken. The Commission is headquartered in Fort St. John, considered central to much of
Northeastern BC's drilling activity and has branch offices in Fort Nelson and Victoria.
Most of the oil and gas regulatory responsibilities formerly held by the
Ministries of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, the Ministry of Forests, and the Ministry
of Environment, Lands and Parks are now the responsibility of the OGC. The Commission
provides an efficient, single-window approach to regulatory process by effectively streamlining approvals
while maintaining provincial environmental standards. More information on the
Oil and Gas Commission can be found
on their website.
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Oil and Gas Division Responsibilities
Oil and Gas Division (formerly New Ventures Branch), an evolution of the
Oil and Gas Initiatives Division (O&G),
is leading the way, towards stimulating investment in the province's traditional oil and gas resources
as well as new, untapped potential like Coalbed Gas.
The division is comprised of three core branches under Assistant Deputy Minister,
Doug Caul.
Business Development Branch
Executive Director,
Cameron Lewis
Resource Development and Geoscience
Branch
Executive Director,
Derek Brown
Oil and Gas Policy Branch
A/Executive Director,
Paula Barrett
Working together, the branches ensure that all facets of developing
opportunities are being managed. In many cases this will involve other
branches within the Ministry, various agencies within government,
industry, and a variety of other stakeholders.
The primary role of the O&G division is to identify opportunities within the energy sector that will
support the ministry goal of increased investment, and acting as the catalyst or facilitator to turn
these opportunities into tangible benefits for all British Columbians. In
addition, it
will continue to administer the programs developed under O&G Phase 1 and 2 as follows:
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OGI Phase 1
- Environmental Fund
- Faire Share Agreement
- First Nations Consultation
- Oil and Gas Commission
- Royalty Changes
- Road Upgrades
OGI Phase 2
- Archaeology Database
- Geology Facility
- Pre-Tenure Planning
- Road Rehabilitation Program
- Royalty Regimes Update
- Wildlife Inventory
- Environmental Practices
One of the current key initiatives is Oil and Gas Development Strategy
(OGDS).
The Oil and Gas Development Strategy for the Heartlands is a comprehensive
program to address road infrastructure, targeted royalties, regulatory
reduction and British Columbia service-sector opportunities. In addition,
the Oil and Gas Development Strategy will result in economic and
employment opportunities for communities in British Columbia’s
heartlands.
This oil and gas website is regularly being updated and improved. Any
comments or suggestions for the site can be sent to
Oil and Gas website
coordinator.
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Last
Updated:
July 11, 2006
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