The latest levy set by the Alberta Energy Regulator continues a pattern of egregious underfunding of the Orphan Well Association, delaying the cleanup of orphan wells and putting Alberta taxpayers at risk.

On March 31, the AER quietly published its latest orphan well levy for the 2026/27 fiscal year: a meagre $154.56 million, just days before announcing more than 4,000 new orphan sites, following the bankruptcy proceedings for Long Run Exploration.

The levy is used to fund the association, which is responsible for closing and reclaiming oil and gas infrastructure when its owner becomes insolvent and cannot meet its cleanup obligations.

Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features.

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Noon News Roundup will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

According to the group’s 2024/25 annual report, the number of orphan wells in Alberta increased by 97 per cent last year to a record high of 3,388 wells, with estimated cleanup costs of $1.12 billion.

The levy is set annually by the AER and is applied to companies........

© Calgary Herald