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Canada Offshore Petroleum Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations (SOR/2024-114)

Canada Offshore Petroleum Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations (SOR/2024-114): Canada’s Offshore Petroleum Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations require emissions monitoring and reporting

Maílis Carrilho
Written by Maílis Carrilho
Updated on December 15th, 2025

Summary

The Offshore Petroleum Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations require operators of offshore oil and gas activities in federal offshore areas to measure, monitor, and report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with offshore exploration, production, and related activities. These regulations are part of Canada’s broader climate reporting framework under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), designed to improve transparency of emissions from offshore petroleum facilities and support national GHG inventories. Metrics typically include combustion, flaring, venting, and fugitive sources of carbon dioxide, methane, and other GHGs. Reporting data helps inform climate policy and aligns Canada’s offshore hydrocarbon development with domestic and international emissions tracking commitments. The regulations do not impose emissions limits or caps, but they create binding reporting obligations for covered offshore petroleum operations.

Details

Jurisdictions
  • Canada
Exemptions

Compliance is mandatory for operators conducting offshore petroleum activities under federal jurisdiction.

Criteria:

Reporting obligations apply throughout the lifecycle of offshore projects.

Emissions data must be prepared in accordance with prescribed methodologies.

Exceptions:

Onshore petroleum activities are excluded from these regulations.

Emissions sources outside defined offshore petroleum operations are not covered.

The regulations do not impose direct emissions caps or reduction targets.

Deep dive

2 min read
Updated Dec 15, 2025

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What’s Required

Operators of offshore petroleum projects must:

  • Quantify greenhouse gas emissions associated with offshore exploration, production, and related activities.

  • Submit periodic emissions reports to the relevant federal authorities.

  • Maintain records supporting emissions data, methodologies, and assumptions.

  • Cooperate with regulatory oversight and inspections.

Important Deadlines

  • Publication and entry into force: The Regulations were published as SOR/2024-114 in the Canada Gazette, Part II, and entered into force on the date specified in that publication (typically the date of registration in the Canada Gazette).

  • First Reporting Cycle: Offshore petroleum operators must submit emissions data for the first reporting year by the deadline set in the regulatory text (usually within six months of the end of the reporting year, consistent with other federal GHG reporting regimes).

  • Annual Reporting: Covered offshore facilities must report emissions on an annual basis, with each reporting deadline tied to the end of the calendar year (e.g., reports due by mid-year following the emissions year).

Current Status

  • The Regulations are in force and apply to offshore areas, including the Atlantic offshore.

  • They operate alongside offshore safety, environmental assessment, and licensing regimes.

  • Emissions data contribute to national greenhouse gas inventories.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

  • Non-compliance may result in enforcement actions under federal offshore and environmental legislation.

  • Penalties can include fines, orders to remedy non-compliance, and potential operational consequences.

Examples of Known Violence

  • An offshore oil platform operator must report annual emissions from combustion, flaring, and venting.

  • A new offshore development must integrate emissions reporting systems from the project design stage.

Resources


Maílis Carrilho
Added by:
Maílis Carrilho
Sustainability Research Analyst
Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.
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Added on Dec 17, 2025 by Maílis Carrilho · Updated on Dec 15, 2025