One oil and gas site was ‘stinky,’ another was ‘gurgling.’ B.C. officials gave them a pass anyway

This investigation is a collaboration between The Narwhal and Investigative Journalism Foundation.

“Serious deficiency.” “Very stinky.” “Leakage.” “A hazard.”

Those are some of the ways BC Energy Regulator officials described oil and gas sites when they documented apparent environmental infractions during routine inspections, according to internal documents. 

The regulator, a provincial government agency, is largely funded by the oil and gas industry and charged with managing oil and gas activities across the province. 

The Narwhal and the Investigative Journalism Foundation identified more than 1,000 instances when inspectors documented apparent infractions yet gave the sites in question a passing grade, according to more than 40,000 records released through freedom of information legislation. The records reveal a widespread pattern: the B.C. government is failing to ensure oil and gas companies comply with regulations designed to protect ecosystems and human health and safety. 

Some of the issues take on particular significance because B.C. is expanding fracking and other oil and gas activity, with multiple major infrastructure projects including for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports either approved or in the works.

Of the apparent infractions described in the records, hundreds appear to relate to potential contraventions of provincial regulations. They include emissions leaks, fuel and chemical spills, high levels of explosive gases present at industrial sites and strong odours wafting onto public and private land. In some cases, inspectors concluded sites were out of compliance but noted they would not be marking them as such in the regulator’s systems.

“Normally, this would be a SERIOUS deficiency,” one inspector wrote.

The BC Energy Regulator declined an interview request. In an email, an unidentified spokesperson for the regulator said the agency is “confident in the processes and systems in place to manage compliance of industry in ensuring the protection of the environment and public safety.”

Here is a collection of key notes logged by inspectors who visited sites that appeared to have deficiencies:

Inspectors frequently reported odours emanating from sites

“A regulator was venting gas outside of [the] building. I could smell [hydrogen sulfide onsite] as well as at the building itself. I called on the road radio for [an operator] a few times, with no answer. I then tried calling operators, with no answer from either. I then left a voicemail … asking for someone to get back to me ASAP. I then drove to the operators’ camp … I let them know of what I found, and that because there is [hydrogen sulfide] involved, that I needed an operator to go to [the] site and assess, then get back to me with findings and resolve.”

“Large historic [chemical] leak onto ground below steel chem tank, building and adjacent low lying areas. Strong odour, dead grass, stained grass, pooled chemical visible around … low areas.”

“A review of the last time this site was inspected found some issues … There are still odours coming from this system and the way the system is set up represents a hazard to operators and vac truck drivers who are in immediate proximity…”

Audible hisses, gurgles and other signs of emissions leaks commonly reported 

“Well is listed as suspended in … internal systems [but] was observed to be flowing at time of site visit. [Explosive levels of emissions] encountered in wellhead building … Audible ‘hissing’ could be heard coming from flow lines.”

“The surface casing vent could be heard gurgling at time of inspection … Looking at the database, the last time a surface casing vent test was submitted was in 2012 and it could be heard gurgling at that time as per submission.”

“Significant black smoke being emitted from the flare stack. Flaring must not result in the emission of black smoke as per section 44(e) of the drilling and production regulation.”

“There is a surface casing vent leak that is not recorded in our database. The vapors could be seen about 20 metres away and odour at 10 metres.”

Inspectors noted evidence companies failed to protect wildlife

“I found that the diesel tank containment was about half full of water and sludge/sheen. Upon looking closer at the fluid, I noticed that there were six (6) dead birds floating in the diesel/water mixture. … The birds were black (like a small raven or a crow) but also had what looked like moss on parts of them, so I think they had been in there probably most of the summer, obviously not real recent.”

“Indications of continued, heavy animal presence (fresh and older ungulate tracks) — received permission from supervisor to request soil samples from suspected impacted area.”

“There are numerous wildlife tracks attracted to the area… The same request was required in October 2014 but nothing was received.”

“There is evidence that wildlife has frequented the water-filled flare pit. … Upon gently poking a stick in the bottom of the flare pit, a strong hydrocarbon odour was detected.”

“There is evidence of cattle and wildlife accessing water in pit around wellhead. Until liquids are determined not to be contaminated, apply some method to prevent access to water.”

“Someone has placed two salt blocks and a pile of grain as a wildlife bait trap? As well there is an elk decoy/target inside the … building. These items need to be removed.”

“The flare pit should be tested for contamination and fenced if confirmed. Wildlife has been digging in the pit so salt with other contaminates are possible.”

Sinkholes, soil contamination and crude oil on crops: how oil and gas infrastructure affects the land

“Unfortunately, due to delays this site will see more than seven years of vegetation growth destroyed and a new disturbance will have been initiated.”

“Landowner concern regarding field soil condition on old abandoned [well site]. There is very little top soil, the area here is harder and has a high clay content compared to the rest of the field which results in poor crops and yields. An attempt was made years ago to fix this using peat moss which had little effect on breaking the clay down to usable soil.”

“There is … a waxy substance on top of the liquids and covering the bullrushes.”

“There was a mist of oil visible (oil drops) on the crops adjacent to the lease … This is going to be mowed down and disposed of along with the contaminated soil.”

“Certified Organic Farm sign noted at the lease gate which states the use of pesticides is prohibited; however, there is also a Herbicide Used sign on site indicating the site was sprayed for Canada thistle in August of 2017.”

“Received concerns from landowner of a dead cow that he found near an underground valve and two blinded vertical risers. Upon inspection around the underground valve area there is good vegetation, no hydrocarbon odours and no [methane leaks] were detected with personal monitor. Cow was laying approximately 20 metres from subject area.”

“Landowner complaint of sinkhole in field where this old well was. I attended and confirmed about a 12″ hole travelling at an angle with an undetermined depth. This has just shown up this year during haying. I would like the company to look at this and see if there is some kind of problem with the old well pad. Email me your findings.”