EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately

The BC Energy Regulator has updated the Noise Control Best Practices Guideline for the management of noise from oil and gas activities.

The guideline is intended to describe regulatory requirements for managing noise emissions from well and facility operations as set out in the Drilling & Production Regulation, section 40, the Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Regulation, section 4(1)(e), and section 15, and the recently released Oil and Gas Processing Facility Regulation, section 9(3) and section 18(4).

The updates are technical in nature. They are primarily related to knowledge gained from extensive noise monitoring by industry in B.C., and engagement with landowners and international oil and gas regulators on addressing noise generated from hydraulic fracturing. They include the acceptable use of screening noise impact assessments for certain activities, revised requirements for short-term noise adjustments, and new options when considering noise from nearby major highways.

Findings from two recently completed BC OGRIS (Oil and Gas Research and Innovation Society) funded projects on noise propagation from major public highways in B.C. are included in the updated guideline, in the form of road modelling data for specific major northeast B.C. roadways. This data is available on the Regulator website, as shapefiles, KML files and SoundPlan Grid files. Limitations of use are described in the metadata record.

The objective of the guideline and the recent updates is to utilize the most up-to-date knowledge and understanding of noise in the geographic areas of B.C. most affected by oil and gas development, to assist permit holders with controlling noise from their operations in these areas, and ensure well and facility operations comply with the requirements.

If you have any questions regarding this bulletin, please contact:

For Facilities:
James Gladysz, P.L.Eng.
Engineer, Facilities
BC Energy Regulator
James.Gladysz@bcogc.ca
(250) 980-6079

For Drilling & Completions:
Jordan van Besouw, P.Eng.
Supervisor, Drilling & Production
BC Energy Regulator
Jordan.vanBesouw@bcogc.ca
(250) 980-6089