Directive 051 Finalized, Closure Quota and 2027 Royalty Updates
D051
Aug 31, 2026
The AER has finalized Directive 051 changes that classify high-water-content hydraulic fracturing flowback as a Class II fluid and set disposal requirements. The issue also covers Directive 020 abandonment updates, the $750 million 2027 closure quota, Crown tenure conditions in caribou ranges, and the January 1, 2027 transition from the Alberta Royalty Framework to the Modernized Royalty Framework.
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