Apply for a licence to explore for oil and gas

In the Yukon, you need a geoscience exploration licence to explore for oil and gas. This includes the surface and subsurface of the earth.

Operations requiring a geoscience exploration licence

Geological operations

Geological mapping
Aerial survey
Geotechnical survey
Ground penetrating survey

Geophysical operations

Seismic survey
Magnetic survey
Gravimetric survey
Electromagnetic survey

Test hole operations

Test hole construction

Eligibility

You do not need to hold an oil and gas disposition to get a geoscience exploration licence.

To hold a licence, you or your business must be:

a corporation that's incorporated, continued, or registered under the territorial Business Corporations Act;
incorporated or continued under the federal Bank Act;
licensed under the territorial Insurance Act; or
approved by us to hold a licence.

Understand the process

Read our guidelines for information about:

application submission requirements;
other permits and licences you may need;
First Nation consultation;
the environment and socioeconomic assessment process;
benefit agreements; and
how to complete the application form.

Discuss your plans with us

We recommend you discuss your project with us before you apply. We can provide you with guidance on our application requirements. Phone 867-667-5026 or email petroleum@yukon.ca.

Timing of your application

You must submit your application at least 30 days before beginning the operation. This timeline could be much longer if your operation requires an environmental and socioeconomic assessment. We can discuss timing when you contact us before applying.