Targeting weeds on oil and gas sites

Alberta will give its energy regulator new authority next month to enforce weed and pest control on oil and gas sites, in a move the province says is aimed at protecting farmland and holding companies more accountable.

Under a new Oil and Gas Conservation Regulation taking effect May 1, the Alberta Energy Regulator will be able to require oil and gas companies to control weeds and agricultural pests on their sites. Where no responsible owner exists, the Orphan Well Association will be required to handle the work.

The province said municipal weed inspectors will be able to notify the regulator about problem sites and trigger compliance action.

The government said the new rules define “reasonable care and measures” to include compliance not only with energy resource laws, but also with the Weed Control Act and the Agricultural Pests Act. That would allow the regulator to use enforcement tools under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act and the Responsible Energy Development Act to direct companies to carry out weed and pest control.

Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean said the issue has been a longstanding concern for farmers and landowners who host oil and gas infrastructure on their property.

Agriculture and Irrigation Minister R.J. Sigurdson said protecting farmland from weeds and pests is essential to the province’s agricultural sector and that the changes are intended to create clearer expectations and stronger compliance.

Peter Dobbie, Alberta’s Farmers’ and Property Rights Advocate, said the added enforcement powers should help rural landowners deal more effectively with weed and pest problems linked to oil and gas infrastructure on agricultural land.

The province said the initiative is intended to help protect Alberta’s agrifood industry by preventing weeds and pests from spreading from energy sites onto nearby farmland, where they can reduce crop yields and increase costs for producers.

The government said the changes respond to a recommendation in the Mature Asset Strategy: What We Heard and Recommendations Report, released April 3, 2025.

Alberta also plans to review the weed control process after six months and make adjustments if needed.