Canada's first hydraulic fracturing registry now online

British Columbia is the first province in Canada to enforce the public disclosure of ingredients used for hydraulic fracturing.

FracFocus.ca - the registry which provides a transparent accounting of B.C. hydraulic fracturing operations - includes a database of the ingredients used to support natural gas extraction, and extensive content about the regulations and safety procedures governing industry activity.

As of Jan. 1, 2012, public disclosure for hydraulic fracturing fluid is mandatory. By law, a list of ingredients used must be uploaded to the registry within 30 days of finishing completion operations - the point in time when a well is able to produce gas.

Hydraulic fracturing is subject to strict regulations in British Columbia. The Province has instituted laws to ensure the process protects groundwater and the environment. There has never been an incident of harm to groundwater from hydraulic fracturing within British Columbia.

The Province of B.C. built FracFocus.ca to accommodate future participation by other jurisdictions so there can be one national site for disclosure information.

The FracFocus.ca website delivers on a commitment made by Premier Christy Clark during the B.C. Oil and Gas Conference in Fort Nelson last September, where she promised an online registry to increase the transparency of hydraulic fracturing in B.C.

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