quebec interim regulations

The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks in Quebec (MDDEP) has announced the draft regulations for activities during the strategic environmental assessment of shale gas in the province.

Michael Binnion, President and Chief Executive Officer of Questerre, commented~
These new regulations promoting communication and transparency validate our public relations efforts in Quebec over the last year. From publishing fact sheets to conducting town hall meetings, we have been a leader in informing the public about our operations well before the BAPE report was published. In principle we are fully supportive of Government efforts to learn how shale gas can be developed sustainably for the benefit of all stakeholders in Quebec.

The proposed regulations require operators to inform and consult the public prior to commencing operations. Consistent with the recommendations from the BAPE report, to increase the understanding of shale gas in the province, MDDEP may have representatives participate in observing the drilling and completion operations.

Operators will also be required to provide MDDEP with technical information including:
#Drilling, completion methods and technology.
#Water management programs for drilling & completion operations including flowback analysis.
#Proposed completion fluid composition and volumes.
#Sampling water wells within a one kilometer radius of the proposed operations.

The press release from MDDEP can be found online: http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/infuseur/communique.asp? no=1855