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Natural Gas and Protecting Quebec’s Land – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How will the gas industry ensure the protection of our land?
A: A company cannot begin operating without having first obtained permission from the landowner. This permission, in addition to laying out the specific conditions of land use, includes restoring the landscape once the work is done to its condition prior to drilling. And that is why, in the case of agricultural lands, it is possible to reuse the land for agriculture after drilling has been completed.
Q: Will natural gas drilling take over the landscape since it requires more wells?
A: No. First of all, it is important to point out that the most visible equipment during the process is the drilling rig, which will only be on the site during the drilling period. Afterwards, the equipment that remains on site is the wellhead. It is also important to note that one of the big advantages of horizontal drilling is that it allows for drilling several wells on a single site, thus reducing the amount of land needed to produce the same amount of natural gas.
Q: Why should we produce natural gas when we already have renewable power?
A: First of all, Quebec already consumes, on average, $2 billion worth of natural gas per year, and we have to import all of it from western Canada. Secondly, the industrial sector needs this type of energy and cannot substitute it for an alternative source. Lastly, producing natural gas is not intended to stop green energy production, but rather to ensure that we have multiple sources available to us. It should also be noted that natural gas is a reliable source of energy that can work even when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing.
Q: Is the industry regulated?
A: The natural gas industry in Quebec is regulated under the Mining Act and the Environmental Quality Act. In addition to obtaining various government authorizations, industry must also comply with a number of laws and regulations set forth by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la faune (MRNF) and the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs (MDDEP). QOGA members will comply with all existing standards and regulations, as well as the industry’s best practices to minimize impacts and even exceed the requirements mandated by the Quebec government.