Compliance Verification Activity Report: CV1920-364 - Great Lakes Pipeline Canada Ltd.

Overview

Compliance verification activity type: Field Inspection

Team:

• Inspector 2463

Regulated company: Great Lakes Pipeline Canada Ltd.

Operating company: TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TC Energy)

Province(s) / Territory(s):

• Ontario

Discipline(s):

• Environmental Protection
• Damage Prevention

Rationale and scope:

Line 500 Operational Inspection: Damage Prevention and Environment Protection Program Inspections to verify compliance with the National Energy Board Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR), NEB Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations – Obligations of the Pipeline Companies (DPR-O), NEB Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations – Authorizations (DPR-A), as well as the Canadian Standards Association Standard and Gas Pipeline System (CSA Z662).

Compliance tool(s) used:

• None

Facility details

Facilities:

• Line 500-1
• Line 500-2
• LINE 500-3

Facility Types

• Pipeline
• Pipeline right of way (ROW)
• Valve site

Life-cycle Phases

• Operations

Regulatory requirements

Regulatory requirements that apply to this activity:

• National Energy Board Act (NEBA)
• Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR)
• National Energy Board Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations – Authorizations
• National Energy Board Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations – Obligations for Pipeline Companies
• National Energy Board Act (NEBA) 2016-06-19
• Standards
• CSA Z662-15 - Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems

Observations (no outstanding follow-up required)

Observation 1 - General – Documentation Reviews

Date & time of visit: 2019-06-11 13:30

Discipline: Damage Prevention

Categories:

• RoW Maintenance
• Access
• Vegetation
• Pipeline Identification
• Signs
• Watercourses
• Railway and Road RoW
• Damage Prevention Program
• Public Awareness Program
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Patrols, Inspection and Field Observations
• Vehicle or Mobile Equipment Crossings
• Guidelines
• Agricultural Activity
• Authorization and Consent
• Locates and Information
• Locate Requests
• Ground Disturbance
• Authorization and Consent
• Guidelines

Facility:

• Line 500-1 (Pipeline)

Observations:

The National Energy Board (NEB) Inspection Team met with TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TC Energy) Representatives, on behalf of Great Lakes Pipeline Canada Ltd. (Great Lakes), a fully owned and operated subsidiary of TC Energy, and conducted a Damage Prevention and Environment Protection program  right-of-way (RoW) field inspection on the Great Lakes's Pipelines on 11 June 2019. As part of documentation reviews, the following was provided or reviewed.

• Great Lakes provided a safety moment;
• Discussed TC Energy’s public awareness (PA) program. Reviewed TransCanada Pipelines in Your Community, NEB Enhances Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations, ER Contractors PA, TransCanada-minimun-guidelines-for-contruction-near-pipelines-facilities-fact-sheet brochures;
• Reviewed and discussed TC Energy’s aerial patrol procedures and aerial reports; 
• Reviewed a Crossing Agreement; and
• Discussed logistics for the RoW field inspection.

• In areas inspected, vegetation is adequately managed and no visibility or access concerns were identified. 
• Observed pipeline identification markers are present where required to identify the presence of pipelines to reduce the possibilities of damage and interference. Appropriate signage present at facility entrance (MLV 501).
• On the northwestern side of the facility fence, the adjacent property owner has several items up to and adjacent or in contact with the facility fence including: Quonset storage hut, firewood, a shed, and bird houses / bat boxes. TC Energy Representatives indicated they had been working with the landowner to resolve these issues. TC Energy later provided a consultation log which included a record of consultation / interactions on these issues between the 27 May 2019 and 11 June 2019. NEB Officer is satisfied that TC Energy is working towards resolving encroachment concerns at this site.

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observation 2 - General / Environment

Date & time of visit: 2019-06-11 13:30

Discipline: Environmental Protection

Categories:

• Vegetation
• Vegetation Control
• Vegetation Reclamation

Facility:

• Line 500-1 (Pipeline)

Observations:

• No visible signs of leaks or drips on station gravel from leaking operators or other valve/piping components.
• Clear sight lines are not currently available on the southern side of the facility. Several ash (Fraxinus Spp.) are present within a few meters of the fence line. TC Energy Representatives confirmed that brushing plans are in place for 2019-2020 and include MLV 501. NEB Officer is satisfied that TC Energy has identified the issue and has plans in place for vegetation management at this facility.
• Pipeline identification signage is present at road crossing adjacent to the watercourse crossing.
• Well vegetated riparian areas on approach slopes to the watercourse with limited large woody vegetation present.
• Pipeline signage indicating the presence of a natural gas pipeline, company, emergency number, with no anchoring no dredging symbols present at watercourse bank

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observation 3 - Aerial Report / Aerial procedures

Date & time of visit: 2019-06-11 13:45

Discipline: Damage Prevention

Categories:

• Monitoring and Reporting
• Patrols, Inspection and Field Observations

Facility:

• Line 500-1 (Pipeline)

Observations:

Upon review of TransCanada Operating Procedure Aerial Pipeline Patrol and Patrol Report for Great Lake and in additional information provided, TC Energy  was able to demonstrate that while the final pipeline aerial patrol report only lists exceptions observed during the patrol, the report is based on metadata where the patroller must select confirmation that no issues were identified for other themes and requirements.

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observations (company follow-up required)

Identified non-compliances to company plans or procedures are non-compliances either to: