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ARTICLE · 20 FEBRUARY 2024

Ontario Releases New Regulations For Carbon Storage

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
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On January 1, 2024, new regulations came into effect under Ontario's Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act (the Act) that pave the way for carbon storage demonstration...

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Richard King
Richard King
Jacob Sadikman
Jacob Sadikman
Jennifer Fairfax
Jennifer Fairfax
Evan Barz
Evan Barz
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On January 1, 2024, new regulations came into effect under Ontario's Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act (the Act) that pave the way for carbon storage demonstration projects in Ontario using private wells (the Special Projects Regulation). This blog post discusses the key aspects of the Special Projects Regulation, how a demonstration project gets authorized and the implications for industry and for Ontario's emission reduction plans.

Background: carbon storage in Ontario

Carbon storage is the permanent storage of captured greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in deep underground geologic formations. Certain regions in southwestern Ontario have geology that may be suitable for carbon storage; candidate wells include saline aquifers in southwestern Ontario, where deep rock is saturated with saltwater. An area stretching approximately 100 kilometres from Port Dover (located approximately 70 kilometres southwest of Hamilton) to Windsor may offer ideal conditions for carbon

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