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CALGARY – The Alberta Energy Regulator has shut or partially shut 16 oil wells operated by Murphy Oil Company Ltd. for failing to comply with various rules.

The regulator said that after conducting a compliance sweep of 71 sites in the Peace River it found wells operated by Murphy Oil that didn’t meet the requirements to capture and flare, incinerate, or conserve all casing gas and tank-top gases.

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In response, the regulator has shut in or partially shut in the wells, where a partial shut-in involves shutting only the non-compliant piece of equipment without shutting down the whole site.

After finding some wells not in compliance, the energy regulator also instructed Murphy Oil to inspect its remaining sites, leading to the company shutting an additional 17 sites that were non-compliant.

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The energy regulator is investigating the issue and the Murphy Oil sites will remain shut or partially shut until a plan to achieve compliance is approved by the regulator.

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