Approvals may involve the approval of certain documents, plans or other matters as specified by the legislation or regulations, or the approval of specific activities conducted under an authorization. Approvals include:
- Development Plan Approval
- Approval of a Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Benefits Plan
- Approval of Flow System and Flow Calculation and Allocation Procedures
- Approval to Commingle Production
- Approval to Drill a Well
- Approval to Alter the Condition of a Well
- Approval of a Formation Flow Testing Program
The well approval templates provided below prescribe the form of an application to the C-NLOPB. As these templates are subject to revision from time to time, an Operator making an application to the Board should download the template directly from the Boards website.
An Approval to Drill a Well (ADW) or an Approval to Alter the Condition of a Well (ACW) is required for well operations involving drilling a well or that involves re-entering a well following completion of the scope of activities covered by the ADW, respectively. A wellsite seabed survey must be completed prior to the issuance of the ADW. Information regarding the process for obtaining approval of wellsite surveys is provided under the Geophysical Program Authorization (GPA).
Approval to Drill a Well (ADW)
The ADW covers operations on the well up to, and including, the termination of the well, which itself could include suspension, abandonment or completion. If the well is to be tested, Approval of a Formation Flow Test Program is required. Any operation following the termination of a well is covered by an Approval to Alter the Condition of a Well (ACW).
In the case of a new Operator or a new project, particularly for an exploration well, early consultation with C-NLOPB staff is encouraged in the areas of well design, data acquisition and environmental protection to ensure that the Operator’s approach to these matters is consistent with regulatory requirements and expectations. In such cases, it is recommended that consultations occur six months or more prior to the submission of the ADW. These consultations may be arranged by contacting the C-NLOPB.
The ADW Template prescribes the form of the application to the
C-NLOPB for an ADW.
Issuance of the ADW
The ADW process is complete when the ADW is issued to the Operator.
The ADW form prescribes the generic format of the ADW issued by the C-NLOPB. This may vary somewhat in that the conditions to be placed on the ADW may vary from well to well.
In the event that it becomes necessary to deviate from the well data acquisition program described in and approved as part of the ADW, the Operator should submit an Operational Waiver/Deviation from an Approved Well Data Acquisition Program form for the approval of the Chief Conservation Officer.
Approval to Alter the Condition of a Well (ACW)
The ACW is required for any operation that involves re-entering a well following completion of the scope of activities covered by the ADW. An ACW is not required if the planned operation is covered by the Operations Authorization (OA) or is exempted pursuant to sub-section 10(2) of the Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Drilling and Production Regulations.
The specific well operations that do or do not require an ACW are described in the Board’s Drilling and Production guidelines. Operators should consult the Board on a case-by-case basis if uncertainty exists as to whether or not an ACW is required.
The ACW Template prescribes the form of the application to the
C-NLOPB for Approval for a Well Operation.
Issuance of the ACW
The ACW process is complete when the ACW is issued to the Operator.
The ACW form prescribes the generic format of the ACW issued by the C-NLOPB. This may vary somewhat in that the conditions to be placed on the ACW may vary from well to well.
A Notification to Abandon/Suspend or a Notification to Complete is required to be provided to the C-NLOPB no later than five working days prior to suspending, abandoning or completing any well. Prior to submitting a notification, the Operator must ensure that the logs referred in the notification are submitted to the C-NLOPB.
Well Termination
A Well Termination Record is required to be provided to the C-NLOPB within 30 days of completing the well termination operations.
Approval of a Formation Flow Testing Program
Approval of a Formation Flow Testing Program is required in accordance with section 52 of the Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Drilling and Production Regulations.
The Operator’s proposed well testing program should be submitted to the C-NLOPB for approval. The program should comply with the relevant provisions of the Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Drilling and Production Regulations. Particular scrutiny will need to be paid to safety and environmental protection matters. Operators should also refer to the Resource Management section for information respecting the data acquisition and reporting requirements pertaining to formation flow testing programs.