From the Archive:
Regulatory Intelligence
Can a heavy oil analysis justify 25 m flare spacing instead of 50 m?
Category:
Facilities and Spacing
Research Basis
Archive Period
1999-2025
Records Reviewed
33
Primary Topics
equipment spacing; flare stack; crude bitumen; heavy oil; spacing waiver; wellhead distance
Current Reference
AER Directive 060; AER Directive 056; Production Operations application checklist
Common Question
Can a heavy oil analysis justify 25 m flare spacing instead of 50 m?
Archive Findings
Not by itself. Historical records indicate that a spacing waiver may be required if the 50 m wellhead-to-flare stack distance could not be met.
Although the oil analysis showed heavy oil, the well was not licensed as crude bitumen, so AER applied the 50 m requirement rather than the 25 m crude-bitumen spacing.
Engineering Insight
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Check the licence status before relying on fluid properties. If spacing cannot be met, submit a clear waiver package with plot plan, equipment list, fluids, vapour sources, affected requirement, and safety justification.
Current Guidance
Current Directive 060 contains flare/incineration/enclosed combustion performance and spacing requirements. Directive 056 and AER production-operations checklists support related facility or waiver submissions.
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