Laws and Regulations

In the Northwest Territories (NWT), onshore oil and gas management and regulation is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI).

The Petroleum Resources Act (PRA) governs how the GNWT acts as owner of petroleum resources in NWT lands within the administration and control of the Commissioner, or in respect of which the Commissioner has the right to dispose of or exploit the natural resources.  The Oil and Gas Operations Act (OGOA) sets the rules for exploration and development activities. 

The Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations (OROGO), an arms-length public regulatory agency, is responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance in oil and gas operations from exploration to closure. 

The Canadian Energy Regulator is the Regulator in the offshore, under federal legislation, and in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region under territorial legislation.

Contact us for any further questions you may have about laws and regulations surrounding oil & gas.

 

Amendments

Amendments to the PRA and OGOA, found in Bill 36 and Bill 37, respectively, come into force on July 23, 2020. The amendments are intended to improve transparency and accountability in oil and gas administration in NWT.