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Tribunal

Oil and Gas Appeal Tribunal

About

The Oil and Gas Appeal Tribunal (OGAT) is an independent tribunal created under the Oil and Gas Activities Act. The OGAT hears appeals of certain decisions issued by the Oil and Gas Commission under the Oil and Gas Activities Act.

The decisions that may be appealed to the OGAT include certain orders, declarations, findings of contravention, administrative penalties and permitting decisions in relation to an “oil and gas activity” (defined in section 1.1 of the Oil and Gas Activities Act), such as geophysical exploration, the construction or operation of a pipeline, road construction, and the production, gathering, processing, storage or disposal of petroleum, natural gas or both. 

Only an “eligible person,” or an owner of land on which an oil and gas activity is permitted under the Oil and Gas Activities Act, may initiate an appeal to the OGAT.

An eligible person is defined in section 69 of the Oil and Gas Activities Act as:

  • an applicant for a permit;
  • a permit holder or former permit holder;
  • a person named in an order for non-compliance; or
  • a person who is subject to a finding of contravention by the Oil and Gas Commission.

In general, eligible persons can appeal decisions related to permits to conduct oil and gas activities, refusals to conduct those activities, or changes to those permits.

Landowners can appeal decisions regarding permits to carry out oil and gas activities on the landowner’s land.

Contact

Oil and Gas Appeal Tribunal
4th Floor, 747 Fort Street
Victoria BC  V8W 3E9

Telephone: 250-387-3464
Fax: 250-356-9923
Website: www.ogat.gov.bc.ca
Email: ogatinfo@gov.bc.ca
 

Justice Education Society Resources

Early Resolution

Before you appeal to the tribunal, have you tried to work out your situation by other methods? The tribunal process can take a lot of time and may not result in the decision you expected. Use this Early Dispute Resolution checklist to find out if you have tried all avenues available to you. The following videos and PDFs will also help you.

Negotiating a Solution

You’ve prepared for your tough talk, now you’re ready for the next step: negotiation.
Read the PDF.

Understanding Disputes

Here’s what’s really going on behind most disputes.
Read the PDF.

Preparing for a Tough Talk

Find out how to prepare for a difficult conversation to settle a dispute.
Read the PDF.

Choosing a Dispute Resolution Option

Find out about mediation and other ways to resolve disputes.
Read the PDF.

Preparing for a Hearing

If you have decided to move forward with the tribunal process, the Oil and Gas Appeal Tribunal website contains information sheets to help you get ready. You may also like to take a look at these videos and PDFs for general information about how to prepare your case.

Written Hearings

This video describes the process for submitting your case in writing and what your submission must contain.
Read the PDF.

In-person Hearings

Watch a dramatization of what it’s like to make a case at an in-person hearing.
Read the PDF.

Telephone hearings

Find out how to prepare to make an effective presentation for a hearing over the phone.
Read the PDF.

Hearings: First steps

This video introduces the different tribunal processes, including mediation and settlement conferences.
Read the PDF.