Today the Government of B.C. announced how it will invest the $120 million they will receive from the federal government to clean up oil and gas sites. 

They will invest in three programs: 

  • $100 million into the Dormant Sites Reclamation Program to reclaim dormant oil and gas sites, which are wells that have been inactive for five consecutive years and are unlikely to be returned to service. This program will provide up to $100,000, or 50% of total costs, whichever is less. 
  • $15 million into the Orphan Sites Supplemental Reclamation Program to reclaim orphan oil and gas sites where the operator is insolvent, no longer exists or cannot be located.  
  • $5 million into the Legacy Sites Reclamation Program to address the legacy impacts of historical oil and gas activities that continue to have environmental impacts, such as on wildlife habitat or on the traditional use by Indigenous peoples. 

“With the support of the federal government, B.C. is taking action to accelerate the restoration of more than 2,000 orphan and inactive wells,” said Premier John Horgan. “This program will support upwards of 1,200 jobs, helping B.C. workers, the environment and our economy during these challenging times.” 

These programs will be open to oil and gas field service companies and contractors based in B.C., with registration, office and operations in B.C. 

“Through these three programs, we are accelerating the cleanup of thousands of orphan and inactive wells,” said Bruce Ralston, B.C.'s Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “This allows us to restore lands of important environmental and cultural relevance, while also supporting local jobs and local economies in B.C.’s northeast.” 

Indigenous communities, local governments and landowners will be able to nominate dormant, orphan and legacy sites for priority consideration for decommissioning, reclamation or restoration. 

“Thanks to the co-operation between the governments of Canada and British Columbia, this program will mean a cleaner environment and much needed jobs for workers in B.C.,” said Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. 

Applications for the Dormant Sites Reclamation Program will be accepted beginning May 25.