ARCHIVED - Letter and Order SG-N081-001-2013 to NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. - NPS 30 Grande Prairie Mainline Loop (Elmworth Section) - Pipeline Integrity

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Letter and Order SG-N081-001-2013 to NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. - NPS 30 Grande Prairie Mainline Loop (Elmworth Section) - Pipeline Integrity [PDF 1297 KB]

File OF-Surv-Inc-2012 126
11 January 2013

Information not available
Senior Regulatory Compliance Specialist
Canadian Pipeline Operations - Compliance
TransCanada PipeLines Limited
450 1st Street S.W.
P.O. Box 1000, Station M
Calgary, AB  T2P 4K5
Facsimile 403-920-2415

Dear Information not available,

NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) NPS 30 Grande Prairie Mainline Loop (Elmworth Section) - Pipeline Integrity

The National Energy Board is in receipt of the information submitted by NGTL with respect to an incident involving the discovery of a pipeline anomaly on 1 September 2012 on the Grande Prairie Mainline Loop. The Board notes that NEB staff met with NGTL to further discuss the incident on 28 September 2012. The Board has considered NGTL’s proposed mitigation measures for the return to service of the pipeline following the anticipated completion of repairs in the second quarter of 2013.

The Board recognizes the actions taken by NGTL to date. However, to verify that there is an adequate level of safety and security for the public and of the pipeline operating system, the Board has issued the attached Order SG-N081-001-2013. This Order outlines the terms and conditions on which the Grande Prairie Mainline Loop may be returned to service. The Order requires NGTL to conduct, for Board approval, an Engineering Assessment as per Clause 3.3 of CSA Z662-11 demonstrating that the pipeline is fit for service at the intended Maximum Operating Pressure of 8450 kPa.

Yours truly,

Sheri Young
Secretary of the Board

 

ORDER SG-N081-001-2013

IN THE MATTER OF the National Energy Board Act (NEB Act) and the regulations made thereunder; and

IN THE MATTER OF the operational safety of the NPS 30 Grande Prairie Mainline Loop (Elmworth Section) system owned by NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) under File OF-Surv-Inc-2012 126.

 

BEFORE the Board on 10 January 2013.

WHEREAS the Board regulates the operation of the natural gas pipeline system owned and operated by NGTL pursuant to Certificate GC-113 including, as part of that system, the NPS 30 Grande Prairie Mainline Loop (Elmworth Section) sweet natural gas pipeline;

AND WHEREAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TransCanada), and NGTL is the owner of the Alberta System facilities;

AND WHEREAS TransCanada is required to comply, or cause NGTL to comply, with all the conditions contained in Certificate GC-113, pursuant to section 1 of Certificate GC-113;

AND WHEREAS on 12 September 2012, TransCanada isolated the line between valve GPM 90 and Gold Creek Compressor Station as a result of corrosion features reported by a third party In line Inspection (ILI) conducted on 30 August 2012;

AND WHEREAS the Board has considered the proposed return to service of the NPS 30 Grande Prairie Mainline Loop (Elmworth Section);

AND WHEREAS the Board is of the view that additional measures are necessary for the safety and security of the Grande Prairie Mainline Loop (Elmworth Section);

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to sections 12 and 48 of the NEB Act, TransCanada may return the NPS 30 Grande Prairie Mainline Loop (Elmworth Section) to service subject to the following condition:

1. TransCanada shall submit to the Board for its approval, at least 30 days prior to the pipeline being returned to service, an Engineering Assessment as per Clause 3.3 of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Z662-11, Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems, for the NPS 30 Grande Prairie Mainline Loop that demonstrates the line is fit for service at the intended Maximum Operating Pressure of 8450 kPa.

NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD

Sheri Young
Secretary of the Board

SG-N081-001-2013

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