Media Contacts

Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

Media Relations
250 952-0622

Backgrounders

Facts about the oil and gas royalty review survey
  • Most respondents (73%) reported living and/or working in the Lower Mainland/southwest and Vancouver Island/coast regions.
  • The North Coast and Nechako region had the lowest representation among respondents at 2%.
  • Over 90% of those taking the survey identified as a member of the public with no affiliation to an interest group.
  • B.C.’s current royalty system was set up nearly three decades ago with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Royalty and Freehold Production Tax Regulation.
  • The way natural gas is produced has changed significantly over this time, as have market conditions, drilling technology and costs, and global concerns on the need to address climate change.
  • The Deep Well Royalty Program was created in 2003 and initially intended to offset higher drilling and completion costs incurred by wells that are considered particularly deep.
  • Royalty credits reduce royalties payable to the Crown when production occurs.