Committee Members |
|
| Gerry DeSorcy - Chairman | Marilyn Craig - Secretariat |
| David Wilson - Risk Research | David Spink – AB Environment |
| Bart Guyon – AAMD&C | Bob Clark – Land Dev. Industry |
| Brian Winter – Public-at-large | Dan Clarke – AB Human Resources |
| Frank George – Oil & Gas Industry | Brent Friesen – Regional Health Auth. |
| Maureen Bolen – AB Agriculture | Kevin McLeod – AB Health |
| Rob Ollerenshaw – Land Dev. Industry | John Squarek – Oil & Gas Industry |
| Judith Bugg – Public-at-large | Ron Wolsey – Disaster Services |
| Paul Jackson – Public-at-large | Cindy Miller-Reade - AB Municipal Affairs |
| Bing Guo* – Risk Research | Richard Slocomb** – BC Oil & Gas Comm. |
|
|
EUB Board and Staff |
|
| Arden Berg | Harry Lillo |
| David DeGagne | |
Committee Members Absent |
|
| Randy Gossen – Oil & Gas Industry | Barry Virtue – AUMA |
| Steve Hrudey |
The meeting was opened by the Chairman, Gerry DeSorcy who welcomed the members.
Gerry circulated a file of correspondence received by him to date from individuals offering to provide services to the committee. Members may receive copies of the correspondence upon request. Correspondence will be circulated at meetings when received.
Minutes of the 10 March meeting were not yet available and will be reviewed along with minutes of the 17 March meeting on 24 March. With the current frequency of meetings it is likely that two sets of minutes will be reviewed at one time.
A discussion of the draft terms of reference took place with particular emphasis placed on the terms health and safety and the Vision statement.
It was agreed that the term “Public Health and Safety*” will be used by the committee with the following definition: Public Health and Safety as used in these terms of reference includes immediate or long-term effects of short-term exposure to sour gas on human health. It does not include possible long-term or chronic effects of very low concentrations of sour gas on human health. The latter is being dealt with through other initiatives.
The following vision statement was agreed to: The regulatory framework for sour gas development ensures a high level of Public Health and Safety*, worthy of continuous public confidence.
A re-draft of the document, reflecting the discussion was circulated to the committee members during the meeting.
ACTION ITEM: Any comments are to be provided to Marilyn prior to the next meeting. A final draft will be reviewed at the 24 March meeting.
a) Sour Gas Geology
Agnes Wiechert of the EUB’s Resource Appraisal group provided an overview of sour gas geology in Alberta and methods used for determining H2S release rates for wells.
Action Item: Harry Lillo will follow up to see if the EUB can provide a comparison of estimated H2S release rates prior to drilling with actual release rates.
b) EUB Sour Gas Setback and Emergency Response Preparedness Requirements
Marilyn Craig presented information on the EUB’s sour gas setback and emergency preparedness requirements. There were many questions such as how current requirements have worked, jurisdictional authorities and how the requirements compare to other industries and jurisdictions which will need to be addressed throughout the process.
Action Item: The B.C. Oil and Gas Commission has done some research into the comparison of B.C. and Alberta standards to those of other jurisdictions which it will provide to the committee.
c) EUB Hearing and Decision Making Process
This item was deferred to the 24 March meeting.
Dr. Sheldon Roth of the University of Calgary presented the committee with an overview of available information regarding H2S toxicity. He indicated that there has been very little research done and therefore there are few facts. Research has provided some known information about exposure to very high concentrations but not low concentrations.
Dr. Roth stated that there is very little research currently underway because of the lack of research funding. He responded to numerous questions of committee members.
This item was deferred to the 24 March meeting.
ACTION ITEM: EUB staff will continue to pursue Aboriginal and urban representation on the committee.
Gerry provided the members with a draft outline of a proposed process and timeline and asked that it be reviewed for discussion at the 24 March meeting.
ACTION ITEM: Committee members were asked to review the draft process and timeline and be prepared to discuss it at the meeting on 24 March.
Agenda items will include a presentation on risk communication by Dr. Bill Leiss, completion of preliminary EUB education, and other items which have been deferred from previous meetings.
David DeGagne and Frank George have tentatively scheduled a tour to a drilling rig for the afternoon of 30 March. The rig is not drilling a critical sour well, however information regarding the differences will be provided during the tour.
24 March, EUB offices.
All handouts will be available at the 17 March meeting for those not in attendance.
