A new book published by an Alberta environmental think tank will become the bible for landowners dealing with the oil industry, says a surface rights consultant.
“This is the most comprehensive, informative publication ever put together for landowners,” Karl Zajes said about the Pembina Institute’s new publication When the Oilpatch Comes to your Backyard: A Citizens’ Guide to Protecting your Rights.
“Too bad it wasn’t available long ago,” said Zajes, who gets calls from landowners daily who have signed lease agreements with oil and gas companies and wish they hadn’t.
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“It’s much better to know what your rights are and where to go for help.”
Mary Griffiths, co-author of the 180-page book, said it isn’t anti-oilpatch, but is designed to be an easy-to-read, comprehensive reference guide to let landowners know what their rights are if they’re living near an existing or proposed energy development.
“We’re trying to help facilitate a relationship.”
She said producers feel “powerless and helpless” when they don’t know their rights.
The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board issues 20,000 applications a year for wells, pipelines, batteries and gas plants. More oil activity brings an increased chance of conflict with landowners.
A 1999 study by the Petroleum Communication Foundation found a large number of people were experiencing problems or had concerns about the industry. The rising number of conflicts prompted the Pembina Institute to design a reference book to help landowners.
“We hope this will empower them.”
Each government department and agency publishes its own pamphlets, but there wasn’t anything comprehensive that dealt with the entire industry.
“Everyone works in their own pigeon hole,” Griffiths said.
The book explains the differences and roles of the Alberta Surface Rights Board, Alberta Environment, the Alberta Environmental Appeal Board and the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board.
One-third of the book deals with the legal rights of landowners and occupants, from the drilling of seismic holes to site reclamation when a well or pipeline closes. It also tells landowners what should be in a lease agreement, how to prevent damage to the land and water wells, and how to deal with compensation issues.
“We think this will be helpful to both sides. It will help people negotiate better up front and have better results in the end,” she said.
Tom Nahirniak, with the Battleford Trail Surface Rights Association, said the book should be mandatory reading for every landowner.
“It outlines everything. It tells them how to negotiate, what to look out for and what their rights are.”
Gary Webster, manager of environment, health and safety with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said although he hasn’t seen a copy of the book, he believes it will be a helpful tool for landowners.
“My sense is it’s going to be useful.”
He said the Pembina Institute has a reputation for high-quality publications and this should add to the “improvement of communication.”
To order the book, visit Pembina’s website at www.pembina.org, write Box 7558 Drayton Valley, Alta. T7A 1S7, or phone 780-542-6272.
