The following is a list of pilot requests received since 2024, which is updated monthly. We use pilot findings and learnings to continually evolve a modern and efficient regulatory system that keeps pace with innovation. For more information, see Pilots and Innovations.
If you have questions regarding the pilots listed in the table, contact inquiries@aer.ca.
| Request Date Sort ascending | Company name | Sector | Decision Date | Decision Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Hills Energy Corporation | Oil Sands Mining Pilots | Approved | |||
Company requested for a 1 month trial to use a different process aid. The trial will evaluate the effectiveness and dosage response in relation to bitumen recovery. Fort Hills Oil Sands Mine and Processing Plant 0 - 6 months PR50-FortHills | |||||
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited | Oil Sands Mining Pilots | Approved | |||
Company requested to conduct a field trial to assess the vegetation response for an NST substrate capped with various treatments that include NST, petroleum coke, and suitable overburden. CNRL Horizon Tailings Pond > 2 years PR49-CNRL | |||||
| Ovintiv Canada ULC | Well Integrity Surface Casing Vent Flow / Gas Migration Repair Pilots | Approved | |||
Company requested to use a product that uses natural soil microbes to produce limestone through a controlled metabolic process. When applied to well leakage pathways, it forms crystalline calcium carbonate, sealing and repairing surface casing vent flows and gas migration. Sinclair 6 - 12 months PR48-Ovintiv | |||||
| Cenovus Energy Inc. | Well Integrity Surface Casing Vent Flow / Gas Migration Repair Pilots | Approved | |||
Company requested to use a non-shrinking resin that creates an impermeable seal for gas micro-leaks around cement plugs and packers. It stops gas flow during abandonment and is mixed with cement to seal micro-annuli and repair surface casing vent flow or gas migration. Amber Valley 6 - 12 months PR45-Cenovus | |||||
| Cenovus Energy Inc. | Well Integrity Surface Casing Vent Flow / Gas Migration Repair Pilots | Approved | |||
Company requested to use a technology designed to melt casing, cement, and certain rock formations. After cooling, these materials solidify to create an impermeable, gas-tight, rock-to-rock barrier that extends across the well cross-section permanently. While forming a permanent zonal abandonment in wellbores, this technology also help with surface casing vent flow and gas migration issues. Athabasca East 6 - 12 months PR46-Cenovus | |||||
| Cenovus Energy Inc. | Well Integrity Surface Casing Vent Flow / Gas Migration Repair Pilots | Approved | |||
Company requested to use a non-shrinking resin that creates an impermeable seal for gas micro-leaks around cement plugs and packers. It stops gas flow during abandonment and is mixed with cement to seal micro-annuli and repair surface casing vent flow or gas migration. Wainwright 6 - 12 months PR47-Cenovus | |||||
| Cenovus Energy Inc. | Well Integrity Surface Casing Vent Flow / Gas Migration Repair Pilots | Approved | |||
Company requested to use a non-shrinking resin that creates an impermeable seal for gas micro-leaks around cement plugs and packers. It stops gas flow during abandonment and is mixed with cement to seal micro-annuli and repair surface casing vent flow or gas migration. (PR43-Cenovus) Athabasca East 6 - 12 months PR43-Cenovus | |||||
| Imperial Oil Resources Limited | Oil Sands Mining Pilots | Approved | |||
Company requested to conduct a pilot of a water treatment process technology that uses sunlight to remediate Process Affected Water (PAW). The pilot operates in a closed loop fashion, treating PAW from the external tailings area and returning treated water back. Imperial Kearl mine site 6 - 12 months PR40-Imperial | |||||
| Cenovus Energy Inc. | Well Integrity Surface Casing Vent Flow / Gas Migration Repair Pilots | Approved | |||
Company requested to use a non-shrinking resin that creates an impermeable seal for gas micro-leaks around cement plugs and packers. It stops gas flow during abandonment and is mixed with cement to seal micro-annuli and repair surface casing vent flow or gas migration. (PR42-Cenovus) Pleasant View 6 - 12 months PR42-Cenovus | |||||
| Prairie Provident Resources Canada Ltd. | Well Integrity Surface Casing Vent Flow / Gas Migration Repair Pilots | Approved | |||
Company requested to use a product that uses natural soil microbes to produce limestone through a controlled metabolic process. When applied to well leakage pathways, it forms crystalline calcium carbonate, sealing and repairing surface casing vent flows and gas migration. Rockyford 6 - 12 months PR39-PraireProvident | |||||
