SOR/2016-2620162
19
20196
22
CANADA OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS ACTCanada Oil and Gas Operations Financial Requirements RegulationsP.C.2016-7420162
19
Whereas, pursuant to subsection 15(1) of the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Acta, a copy of the proposed Canada Oil and Gas Operations Financial Requirements Regulations, substantially in the annexed form, was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on July 11, 2015 and a reasonable opportunity was afforded to interested persons to make representations to the Minister of Natural Resources with respect to the proposed Regulations;Therefore, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, pursuant to subsection 14(1)b of the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Acta, makes the annexed Canada Oil and Gas Operations Financial Requirements Regulations.R.S., c. O-7; S.C. 1992, c. 35, s. 2S.C. 2015, c. 4, ss. 14(1) to (3)Definitions
DefinitionsThe following definitions apply in these Regulations.Act means the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act. (Loi)Board means the National Energy Board. (Office)
Financial Resources
Proof of financial resourcesFor the purposes of subsection 26.1(1) of the Act, the proof that an applicant has the necessary financial resources is to be made by the applicant providing the Board with a statement of its net assets or of funding arrangements that it has made that demonstrates to the Board’s satisfaction that it is able to pay the applicable amount referred to in that subsection.Substantiating documentsThe statement must be accompanied by one or more of the following documents that substantiate it:the applicant’s most recent audited annual financial statement and, if the applicant has been given a credit rating by a credit rating agency that is current at the time the application is made, a document that indicates that credit rating;a promissory note;an insurance policy or a certificate of insurance;an escrow agreement;a letter of credit;a line of credit agreement under which funds identified in the statement are available;a guarantee agreement;a security bond or pledge agreement or an indemnity bond or suretyship agreement.Audited statement and documentsFor greater certainty, the Board may require that the statement and substantiating documents be audited by a qualified independent auditor and that the applicant provide it with a report of the audit that is signed by that auditor.
Financial Responsibility
Requirements of pooled fundA pooled fund that is established for the purposes of subsection 27(1.01) of the Act must be located and administered in Canada.Permitted usesThe fund is to be used only to make payments under subsection 27(2) of the Act. However, the fund may be used to make paymentsunder subsection 163(2) of the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, if it is also established for the purposes of subsection 163(1.01) of that Act;under subsection 158(2) of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Newfoundland and Labrador Act, RSNL 1990, c. C-2, if it is also established for the purposes of subsection 158(1.1) of that Act;under subsection 168(2) of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, if it is also established for the purposes of subsection 168(1.01) of that Act; orunder subsection 160(2) of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act, SNS 1987, c. 3, if it is also established for the purposes of subsection 160(1A) of that Act.Payment on demandMoneys that are required to be paid out of the fund must be paid by the administrator of the fund on demand.Obligations of administratorThe administrator of the fund mustevery year, provide the Board with an audited financial statement that demonstrates that the fund has been maintained at a minimum of $250 million or at the higher minimum amount set by regulation;notify the Board within 24 hours of the addition of a participant to, or withdrawal of a participant from, the fund or of any change in the amount of the fund, other than one that is solely attributable to an interest charge or a banking fee;notify the Board of a contravention by a participant in the fund of their obligation under subsection 27(1.1), (1.2) or (5) of the Act within 24 hours after they become aware of the contravention; andprovide the Board with the phone number, email address and mailing address of their contact person.
Reimbursement into pooled fundFor the purposes of subsection 27(5) of the Act, the reimbursement into the pooled fund of an amount that is paid out of it must be made within seven days after the day on which the payment is made.
Board Recommendation Regarding Lesser Financial Requirements
Circumstances relating to recommendationFor the purposes of subsection 27.1(1) of the Act, the Board may make a recommendation to the Minister in respect of an applicant if the Board is satisfied that the estimated total of the losses, damages, costs and expenses — other than losses of non-use value — for which the applicant may be liable under paragraphs 26(1)(b) and (2)(b) of the Act in connection with the proposed work or activity to which the application pertains is less than the amount referred to in paragraph 26(2.2)(a) or (d) of the Act.RecommendationThe recommendation must identify the hazards that are relevant to the proposed work or activity and must include an assessment of the risks associated with each event that could occur in connection with each of those hazards and that could result in debris, in a spill or in an authorized discharge, emission or escape of oil or gas.Required informationThe following information must accompany the recommendation:the estimated total of the losses, damages, costs and expenses referred to in subsection (1);the recommended amount that is less than the amount referred to in paragraph 26(2.2)(a) or (d) or 27(1)(a) of the Act, as the case may be;a summary of the reasons for the recommendation;a summary of any information provided by the applicant to the Board that the Board considers to be pertinent; andany information requested by the Minister.Additional informationThe Board may submit to the Minister any other information that it considers to be pertinent.
Coming into Force
S.C. 2015. c. 4These Regulations come into force on the day on which section 20 of the Energy Safety and Security Act comes into force, but if they are registered after that day, they come into force on the day on which they are registered.[Note: Regulations in force February 27, 2016.]