Alberta Energy Regulator has laid charges against a Calgary oil and gas company for allegedly hindering inspections in Ponoka County.
Eight charges under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act have been against Land Petroleum International Inc. and president Bill Fung, the AER announced Thursday.
The charges relate to facility inspections near Ponoka in August 2018.
It is alleged the company and Fung hindered or failed to assist the regulator under the act. It is also alleged that they “caused others to contravene provisions” of the act.
Land Petroleum is accused of violating two sections under the act. The first relates to the right of AER-authorized inspectors to access all wells, equipment, facilities and records. The second deals more generally with offences related to contravening the act or causing others to.
Fung is scheduled to appear in Ponoka provincial court on Sept. 4.
“To ensure the right to a fair prosecution, the AER cannot release any further details,” says the regulator.
Website wellwiki.org shows 25 well licences issued to Land Petroleum in Ponoka Country between 1976 and 1997. Several have since been abandoned.
AER is responsible for regulating Alberta’s oil and gas industry. It oversees energy development applications and handles industry compliance, enforcement and monitoring, as well as cleanup and reclamation.
The regulator is 100 per cent funded by industry and collects funds through an administrative fee levied on energy development projects and activities.
Land Petroleum or its representatives could not be reached for comment.