There's never been a better time to Buy BC and support local growers, producers and the food we love right here in BC.  Explore Buy BC products
Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. BC Gov News
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Live Webcast
  • News  
  • News  
  • By Ministry
    • Office of the Premier
    • Agriculture and Food
    • Attorney General
    • Children and Family Development
    • Citizens' Services
    • Education and Child Care
    • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
    • Energy and Climate Solutions
    • Environment and Parks
    • Finance
    • Forests
    • Health
    • Housing and Municipal Affairs
    • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
    • Infrastructure
    • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
    • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
    • Labour
    • Mining and Critical Minerals
    • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
    • Public Safety and Solicitor General
    • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Transportation and Transit
    • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
  • Subscribe
Live Webcast
By Ministry
  • Office of the Premier
  • Agriculture and Food
  • Attorney General
  • Children and Family Development
  • Citizens' Services
  • Education and Child Care
  • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
  • Energy and Climate Solutions
  • Environment and Parks
  • Finance
  • Forests
  • Health
  • Housing and Municipal Affairs
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
  • Infrastructure
  • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
  • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
  • Labour
  • Mining and Critical Minerals
  • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
  • Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Transportation and Transit
  • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

ARCHIVED: Natural Gas Development

Independent report finds B.C. has robust hydraulic fracturing regulations

Share

More from this Ministry

-

-

-

Read Bio

Contact

Email: MNGD.Minister@gov.bc.ca

close menu ARCHIVED: Natural Gas Development

ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Print

ARCHIVED: Natural Gas Development Note: This News Release has been archived - the Ministry no longer exists.

British Columbia News

Independent report finds B.C. has robust hydraulic fracturing regulations

https://news.gov.bc.ca/08677

Share

News You Can Use

Victoria
Thursday, June 18, 2015 2:30 PM

Share

News You Can Use

Victoria

Thursday, June 18, 2015 2:30 PM

More from this Ministry

  • Factsheets
  • Ministry Photos
  • Ministry Videos

Featured Topics

  • LNG in BC
  • Natural Gas Strategy
  • Natural gas and oil
  • BC Oil and Gas Commission
  • BC Safety Authority

Featured Services

  • Get a petroleum or natural gas tenure
  • Apply for royalty programs
  • Apply for oil and gas permits

Newsletters

  • LNG in BC

With a liquefied natural gas industry quickly becoming a reality, British Columbians need to know that hydraulic fracturing in B.C. is safely managed as natural gas activity increases.

A new independent report by Ernst & Young found British Columbia has a robust regulatory framework in place to oversee hydraulic fracturing. Specifically, the Ernst & Young report stated, “the issues presented by hydraulic fracturing are being effectively managed” by the BC Oil and Gas Commission, the provincial regulator.

The report also states, “none of the opportunities … constitute major failings of the regulatory framework, nor do we believe that there are any significant sources of risk that remain untouched by regulation.” In other words, Ernst & Young didn’t find any gaps in B.C.’s regulations - but rather identified opportunities to strengthen B.C.’s approach.

This report adds to the growing body of work that supports the fact that B.C. has world-leading hydraulic fracturing regulations, including the Human Health Risk Assessment Report (March 2015) which found B.C.’s existing regulatory framework is extensive and broadly protective of human health.

Quotes:
Minister of Natural Gas Development Rich Coleman -

“This independent report confirms what we’ve been saying for years - British Columbia has a robust regulatory framework governing hydraulic fracturing. In fact, this is the second recent impartial review to find B.C. has a strong regulatory framework. British Columbians can have confidence they are benefitting from a clean, well regulated natural gas industry.”

Paul Jeakins, commissioner, BC Oil and Gas Commission -

“We accept all the recommendations, and are working to strengthen our provisions. It’s encouraging to know we are doing well, and we won’t ever stop making sure natural gas and LNG are conducted in a manner that protects health, safety and the environment.”

Quick Facts:

  • Hydraulic fracturing has been conducted safely in British Columbia for more than 50 years.
  • Hydraulic fracturing is a process used to free natural gas contained within shale formations, the most commonly occurring type of sedimentary rock in northeast B.C. In shale formations, the natural gas molecules are held in the reservoir rock. Hydraulic fracturing is used to create small cracks in the rock that stimulates the flow of gas into the well bore.
  • There has never been a reported incident of groundwater contamination as a result of hydraulic fracturing operations in B.C.
  • British Columbia was the first province in Canada to regulate the mandatory disclosure of ingredients used in the hydraulic fracturing process. The online registry, found at FracFocus.ca, provides a transparent accounting of each well drilled and includes water data.
  • As the provincial regulator, the BC Oil and Gas Commission ensures oil and gas operations in B.C. are done safely to protect the environment and communities.

Learn More:

Read the report: www.bcogc.ca/node/12471/download

Hydraulic fracturing factsheet: www.bcogc.ca/node/11416/download

Fracfocus.ca: www.fracfocus.ca/

BC Oil and Gas Commission: www.bcogc.ca

Media Contacts:

Sandra Steilo
Media Relations
Ministry of Natural Gas Development
250 952-0617

https://news.gov.bc.ca/08677

Related Articles

B.C. workers first in line for jobs: Province secures environmental benefits in agreement with Trans Mountain

April 8, 2017 11:00 AM

$1.6 million for housing for people with mental-health challenges

April 7, 2017 4:42 PM

B.C.’s clean natural gas powering careers, Canadian energy

April 7, 2017 2:30 PM
BC Gov News

Connect with the Ministry

Photos

View the Ministry's latest photos on Flickr.

Videos

Watch the Ministry's latest videos on YouTube.

The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

Government of B.C. Government of B.C.

We can help in over 220 languages and through other accessible options.   Call, email or text us, or find a service centre.

Connect with Us

  • Subscribe
  • Social and RSS

More Info

  • BC Gov
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Government of British Columbia