NEB Onshore Pipeline Regulations Strengthened

CALGARY, April 10, 2013 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board's (NEB or the Board) Regulations Amending the Onshore Pipeline Regulations, 1999 (Regulations) were published today in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

The Regulations clarify requirements for federally regulated pipelines regarding management systems for the purpose of protecting the public, workers and the environment.

The NEB requires pipeline companies to anticipate, prevent, manage and mitigate potentially dangerous conditions associated with their pipelines. When implemented, these requirements can effectively manage risk and promote safe pipeline operation.

NEB Chair Gaétan Caron said, "For the NEB, these Regulations are part of a commitment to continual improvement in terms of safety and environmental outcomes. The Board believes that with proper management, pipeline incidents are preventable. It is on that critical foundation that we have developed a proactive approach that targets the prevention of incidents before they occur."

The Regulations make it clear that management systems must apply to the key company programs for safety, pipeline integrity, security, environmental protection and emergency management. Also, the Regulations require that management systems must be in place throughout each phase of the lifecycle of the pipeline - from design, materials, construction, operation and all the way through to abandonment.

The Regulations include provisions that focus on a company's senior leadership for accountability of its management systems, the company's safety culture and the achievement of outcomes related to safety of the public and environmental protection. Furthermore, companies must have an internal reporting policy that will encourage employees to bring forward, without fear of reprisals, the hazards and risks that they may encounter during their work activities.

The Regulations rename the Onshore Pipeline Regulations, 1999 as the National Energy Board Onshore Pipeline Regulations.

The Board believes that one way to enhance pipeline safety is through sharing information. To that end, the Board will be hosting a Safety Forum on June 5-6, 2013 in Calgary to discuss management systems, safety culture and means of measuring performance with industry.

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.

This news release, along with other related documents are available on the NEB's Internet site at www.neb-one.gc.ca under What's New!

• Regulations Amending the Onshore Pipeline Regulations 1999 published in Canada Gazette II.
• Notification Letter to Oil and Gas Companies and to Interested Parties
• Submission Requirements
• Questions and Answers
• Safety Forum, Calgary, Alberta, 5-6 June 2013

SOURCE: National Energy Board

Carole Léger-Kubeczek
Communications Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: [phone]
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5503
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (teletype): 1-800-632-1663

For a copy of the Regulations:    

National Energy Board Library
Ground Floor
444 Seventh Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 0X8
Telephone: [phone]
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5576
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
Email: [email protected]