A new agreement has been reached by the Government of Saskatchewan and the Government of Alberta to improve efficiency in the service rig industry.

The service rig industry, which is a vital part of Alberta and Saskatchewan's oil and gas sector, has been restricted by unnecessary rules that limit movement between work sites and across provincial borders.

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But regulatory changes for service rigs will remove unnecessary red tape without compromising safety. Service rigs will continue to follow stringent and appropriate safety standards, including valid permits for transport and operation, as well as established Occupational Health and Safety requirements.

The Government of Alberta and the Government of Saskatchewan have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together towards harmonizing transportation regulations for service rigs travelling between the two provinces.

For example, some commercial trucking requirements are not suitable for service rig equipment that spends 95 per cent of its time at a worksite and only five per cent of its time on the road.They will also work together at the Western Premiers’ Conference later this month to develop a unified western approach to harmonization for a joint application seeking appropriate exemptions from federal regulations to make it easier for service rigs to get to job sites across Western Canada.

“Oil well service rigs do vital work in Alberta’s oil field and they have been needlessly restricted by regulations that limit movement between job sites,” said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. “We are working to make it easier for service rigs to get to job sites in Alberta and across provincial borders, alongside the Government of Saskatchewan.”

“The energy industry is a vital part of our economies as prairie provinces,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. “Working together with Premier Kenney and his government, we are laying the groundwork to ensure that service rigs operating in Alberta and Saskatchewan's oil and gas sectors are not bogged down by unnecessary regulations.”