NEB issues Amending Safety Order to Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc.

CALGARY, Sept. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB) has issued an Amending Safety Order to Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. (TNPI) that consolidates three previous Safety Orders issued by the NEB to the company between 2009 and 2010. The Amending Safety Order also includes additional requirements to protect the pipeline system while TNPI develops and implements a longer term solution. The company is directed to:

• Implement a 10 per cent further pressure restriction on its pipeline system;
• File annual fitness for service assessments for its pipeline system;
• Conduct and validate a hydraulic analysis, and develop and implement corrective and preventive measures;
• Assess and optimize its overpressure protection system;
• Reassess its overpressure incidents;
• Conduct engineering assessments in accordance with the requirements of Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Z662-15 Clause 10.1;
• Implement a facility and pipeline integrity management program on its pipeline system compliant with sections 6.1 to 6.5 and section 40 of the Onshore Pipeline Regulations; and
• Develop and implement a water-crossing management program.

The NEB had issued three Safety Orders on sections of TNPI's Ontario-Quebec pipeline system in response to pipeline releases and overpressure incidents that occurred in 2009 and 2010. The Safety Orders directed TNPI to restrict the operating pressure of pipelines in its system and outlined the terms and conditions by which they could continue to safely operate. TNPI has not satisfied all conditions set out in those Safety Orders and has had 11 overpressure incidents since 2010. While at no point did these incidents lead to public or environmental risks, their recurrence demonstrates to the NEB that TNPI has not yet effectively resolved its overpressure hazard.

TNPI operates an approximately 915 kilometre pipeline that supplies refined products (gasoline, jet fuel and fuel oil) from refineries in Ontario and Quebec to the Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto airports as well as major fuel outlets. This Safety Order does not apply to TNPI's facilities in Alberta which are regulated by the Alberta Energy Regulator.

Quick Facts

• The NEB has issued an Amending Safety Order to TNPI that consolidates three previous Safety Orders issued between 2009 and 2010.
• None of the overpressure incidents posed an imminent public safety or environmental risk.
• Operating a pipeline within its approved pressure range is an NEB regulatory requirement.
• The NEB takes safety and environmental protection seriously and took action to ensure TNPI completes all requirements.

Related Products
Amending Safety Order AO-001-32 SO-T217-03-2010

Associated Links
Condition Compliance
Compliance and Enforcement

The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada's energy industry with the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment as its top priority. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest. For more information on the NEB and its mandate, please visit www.neb-one.gc.ca.

SOURCE National Energy Board

Darin Barter, National Energy Board, Communications, Email [email protected], Telephone: [phone]