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Saskatchewan's Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Legislation to be Updated and Modernized to Further Support Landowners

Released on November 7, 2022

Energy and Resources Minister Jim Reiter has announced the Government of Saskatchewan has introduced a bill aimed at amending The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act and The Oil and Gas Conservation Act. These changes will help landowners in the recovery of any overdue surface lease compensation owed to them by oil and gas operators.

"These amendments will give the Surface Rights Board and the Ministry of Energy and Resources the tools they need to better protect landowners from unpaid leases," Reiter said. "Our oil and gas industry and the citizens of the province all benefit from strong relationships between industry and landowners."

The amendments featured in the bill will: 

  • Amend the act to allow the Surface Rights Board of Arbitration (the Board) to hear cases and issue compliance orders to oil and gas companies for payment owed to landowners.
  • Add an obligation in The Oil and Gas Conservation Act for operators to comply with an order for compensation issued by the board.
  • Give the Ministry of Energy and Resources the ability to suspend the licenses of delinquent operators if the board order is not complied with. 
  • Motivate licensees to keep current with their surface lease payments.
  • Establish power in the act to prescribe the maximum allowable compensation that can be awarded by the board for off-lease damages.
  • Introduce various housekeeping amendments to update and modernize the act. 

Through a series of consultations, the Ministry of Energy and Resources received positive feedback on the proposed amendments from numerous stakeholder groups including major oil and gas associations, agricultural organizations and individual landowners. The passing of this bill will also better align Saskatchewan with surface rights legislative regimes already established in Alberta and British Columbia. 

The Bill is expected to pass in Spring 2023.

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For more information, contact:

Melanie White
Regina
Phone: 306-527-4187
Email: melanie.white@gov.sk.ca

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