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Land Use & PlanningABMEDIUM

A buyer is purchasing an Alberta property near an abandoned oil well. What specific due diligence should the buyer conduct regarding the well?

Correct Answer

B) The buyer should verify the well's abandonment status with the AER, check building setbacks, and assess potential environmental liability

When purchasing property near an abandoned well in Alberta, the buyer should verify the well's status with the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), confirm proper abandonment procedures were followed, check setback restrictions that may limit building near the well, and assess potential environmental contamination. Abandoned wells can present ongoing liability issues and may limit future development options.

Answer Options
A
No due diligence is needed for abandoned wells, because the operator has already plugged the well and surrendered its licence
B
The buyer should verify the well's abandonment status with the AER, check building setbacks, and assess potential environmental liability
C
The buyer should only check if the well is currently producing, since idle wells pose no risk
D
The municipality is responsible for all abandoned well issues, so the buyer can rely on its records alone

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Buyers should verify well abandonment status with the AER to confirm proper procedures were followed, check AER Directive 079 setback restrictions that limit building proximity to wells, and assess environmental liability from potential contamination. Improperly abandoned wells can leak methane or fluids, and setback zones can significantly restrict buildable area on the property.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

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Key Terms

Alberta Energy Regulatorwell setbacksabandoned wellsDirective 079
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