The Provincial government is moving to make sure operators of abandoned wells are subject to greater scrutiny by the Alberta Energy Regulator.

The government says its taking action to make sure Albertans are protected from financial and environmental liabilities.

Rule changes will support companies that behave responsibly and help shield them from potential further increases in the number of orphan wells, which are reclaimed through a fund which industry pays into.

The government's also providing a $235-million loan to the Orphan Well Association to accelerate the cleanup of old wells across the province over the next three years, it's lobbying the federal government for changes to bankruptcy laws that would hold companies accountable for their environmental cleanup and it's providing municipalities across the province with a credit for uncollectable taxes on disowned oil and gas properties.