Enhanced oil recovery (abbreviated EOR) is the implementation of various techniques for increasing the amount of crude oil that can be extracted from an oil field. Enhanced oil recovery is also called improved oil recovery or tertiary recovery (as opposed to primary and secondary recovery).

The petroleum industry interacts with the groundwater resource on many fronts.

For the seismic end of the oil field operations, HCL provides direction to ensure that seismic shot holes are not drilled in areas where flowing conditions may occur. When problems are created by uncontrolled flowing shot holes, HCL can provide services to mitigate the problems.

A groundwater or surface water supply to be used for a Confined Feeding Operation (CFO) must be licensed under the Water Act, which is administered by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP).

Coalbed Methane (CBM), also known as Natural Gas in Coal, is in the early stages of development in Alberta and has significant growth potential. With this potential for development, it is necessary to obtain consistent baseline data on groundwater to ensure the protection of groundwater resources and the environment. While many oil and gas companies have adopted the practice of gathering baseline water quantity and quality data from nearby water wells prior to drilling energy wells, this testing has been voluntary. Broader application of groundwater testing will also support Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) goal of mapping all groundwater resources in Alberta. To ensure all CBM developers collect representative baseline data prior to CBM development, AEP has introduced the Standard for Baseline Water-well Testing for Coalbed Methane/Natural Gas in Coal Operations to make baseline testing a mandatory regulatory requirement. Data collected will be submitted to AEPA and will be made publicly available.

The purpose of the field-verified survey is to identity groundwater users in the area; collect background groundwater information from the landowner(s); and to inform landowner(s) of the applicant's application to divert groundwater in the area.

Groundwater is a vital resource in Alberta, supplying various domestic, municipal, agricultural and industrial water needs. More than 600,000 rural Albertans depend on groundwater for drinking water purposes.

Groundwater also helps to maintain lake levels and river flows. To manage groundwater effectively, we must understand its occurrence, movement and quality. Improving our knowledge of groundwater resources is a key priority for the Government of Alberta. As we acquire a better understanding of groundwater we can implement policies and actions to manage this resource in a sustainable manner.

A groundwater supply to be used for municipal purposes must be licensed under the Water Act, which is administered by Alberta Environment an Protected Areas (AEPA). HCL can assist in locating, developing and managing a groundwater supply for municipal supplies, including rural residential subdivisions, and ensure that the work required for groundwater licensing under the Water Act will be completed as outlined in AEPA’s Guide to Groundwater Authorization (2011).

As part of the groundwater licensing procedure, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) requires that a public notice be published in a locally distributed newspaper for any licence application. The public notice allows residents to submit a Statement of Concern (SC) to AENV if they believe their groundwater supply may be affected by the proposed diversion. AEP may then require a response to be prepared for any resident who may be directly affected.

A subdivision of land that utilizes individual water wells resulting in six or more parcels per quarter-section requires a groundwater evaluation to be completed.

Water well problems result from many causes including equipment failure, depletion of the aquifer, corrosive qualities of the water and improper well design and construction. Correctly identifying the cause enables you to select appropriate treatment or maintenance to fix the problem rather than abandon the well. This troubleshooting module is designed to help you recognize the symptoms of the problem, identify the cause and select the appropriate course of action. Technical assistance from licensed water well contractors or groundwater consultants may be valuable.