BEST OPERATING PRACTICES: Road Use

The West Central Stakeholders (WCS) group is committed to sharing information and creating understanding about oil and gas development in Clearwater Countyin an effort to foster mutual respect among community, industry and regulatory stakeholders. These best practices were developed to communicate community interests to industry working in the region and promote a consistent standard for industry to use when planning and conducting operations in Clearwater communities.

The WCS group encourages industry to adopt these Best Operating Practices when working in Clearwater County. This is a living document and can be refined through discussion at WCS monthly meetings.

  • These best practices are separate from, yet compliment, regulatory and legal guidelines for development. Industry should follow and strive to exceed industry guidelines, laws and regulations (as per the Alberta Traffic Safety Act, Clearwater County policies and bylawsand ERCB regulations).
  • Values of honesty, integrity and mutual respect are top priorities and an expected standard of conduct relevant to all oil and gas companies operating within the Clearwater District.
  • Companies and community members are expected to deal fairly, ethically, openly and honestly with each other
  • Companies must comply with all applicable environmental regulations to demonstrate respect of environment and public/private land and to minimize and mitigate environmental impacts.
  • Companies are expected to:
  • work to ensure safety of communities/staff throughout all stages of development
  • apply responsible standards where laws or regulations do not exist
  • Make a courtesy call to immediate neighbours who are directly impacted by oil and gas activity prior to key stages of development (ie: rig moves, spudding, entering critical zones, fracturing, testing, abandonment, tie-in, construction of field facilities) and advise immediate neighbours upon termination of operations.
  • Compensate landowners fairly for their land and for accidents or spills that may occur.
  • Consider landuse impacts and operate in a sustainable fashion.
  • Honour commitments to the community and the community should honour commitments to industry.

TRAFFIC/PARKING ON ROADS

Matters related to traffic and parking are of interest to Clearwater County. The WCS Group requests that operators have a sound understanding of the related regulations administered by Clearwater and Alberta Transportation. The WCS group supports the County’s objective to facilitate industry activity, while maintaining public and emergency vehicle access. Approvals will typically be granted by the County if traffic accommodation measures are in place. Traffic accommodation measures will vary depending on the road characteristics and traffic volumes. Please check with the County for details on appropriate traffic accommodation measures.

  • Use company lease site or negotiate using existing sites or yards.
  • Consider adding additional gravel to create parking area off public roads.
  • Evaluate the use of road signs on a site-specific basis with consideration given to speed and safety, noise and disturbance to neighbours.
  • If parking on roads is necessary, proper signage should be posted by the company, and waiting times should not exceed five minutes. Contact Clearwater County for more details on requirements related to parking, as well as road closure requirements.
  • To minimize noise disturbance, avoid use of Jake brakes.
  • Use appropriate means of dust control on roads near residences and be aware of additional requirements and expectations of Clearwater County:
  • Dust control is required when ten or more loads are being hauled in one day or four trucks are passing a given point in one hour or less.
  • The general rule of thumb is that the dust in front of residences be controlled 90-100% and on all other effected areas 50 – 60 %.
  • Hauls should not commence until dust control is in place.
  • Ensure litter control along the roads that are used by industry.
  • Review risks associated with speed and reckless driving with employees and contractors at safety meetings and accept zero tolerance for careless driving.
  • Traffic management should take into account special measures that may be required on school bus routes.
  • Move equipment at times that minimize disturbance to area residents when practical and conduct rig moves before or after school bus scheduled times or choose alternate routes where busses do not travel.

UNLOADING AND LOADING OF EQUIPMENT

  • Unload, transfer, load equipment on company lease sites or on appropriate lease approaches. When using tracked equipment, leave road in same condition it was found.
  • Do not block access along road. If unloading on a road is required,disruption to access should be kept to a minimum (less than 5-10 minutes). If longer than 10 minutes, contact Clearwater County for requirements and expectations.
  • Communicate with residents to minimize potential issues associated with road-sharing.

MUD AND DEBRIS ON ROAD

  • Clean any mud and debris associated with rig moves off road immediately.
  • Chain-up/un-chain as close to approach as possible; ensure mud lumps are knocked off and cleaned off road immediately. If equipment is not immediately available for cleanup, public road users need to be safeguarded from the hazard until such time it can be cleaned up (e.g. use flag person).
  • Chains are not permitted on County roads unless there is a special circumstance (ie: icy hill).
  • Bio-security with regard to noxious weeds and disease, such as club root, are a growing concern to landowners. Ensure clean equipment when entering lease sites; clean equipment when leaving site and remove large clumps of mud to minimize soil contamination.

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Farmer’s Advocate Office

.gov.ab.ca

310-FARM (3276)

Email:

Surface Rights Board

Phone: (780) 427-2444

Email: Fax: (780) 427-5798

Energy Resources Conservation Board

Red Deer Field Centre

(403) 340-5454

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

Small Explorers and Producers Association of Canada

Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen

Canadian Energy Pipeline Association

Pembina Institute – booklet “When the Oilpatch Comes to Your Backyard”

Alberta Environment

Phone: (403) 340-7052 Fax: (403) 340-5022

Clearwater County

Phone: 403-845-4444

Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

Toll Free: 1 877 944-0313

Email:

West Central Stakeholders

403-846-9583

email:

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