Filing Manual – Guide A – Facilities Applications
- A.1.1 Engineering Design Details
- A.1.2 Engineering Design Principles
- A.1.3 Canadian Energy Regulator Onshore Pipeline Regulations
A.1 – Engineering
A.1.1 Engineering Design Details
Goal
The application includes all necessary design details of the proposed project to give the Commission an understanding of the nature of the proposed project.
Filing Requirements
1. Describe the fluid type and chemical composition.
2. If the proposed project involves line pipe, provide:
- pipe outside diameters;
- pipe material types, categories, and grades;
- pipe wall thicknesses;
- maximum operating pressures (MOP);
- estimate of pipe length by province for each change in diameter, material grade and wall thickness;
- valve spacing and a map showing valve locations;
- minimum depth(s) of cover and typical drawings (e.g., crossings);
- class locations;
- description of proposed pipe coatings; and
- general description of the corrosion control elements and facilities.
3. If the proposed project involves pigging facilities, provide:
- pipe outside diameters;
- pipe material types and grades;
- pipe wall thicknesses;
- MOP;
- pig trap locations;
- pig trap pressure ratings;
- a description of the pig trap closure device; and
- a general description of the corrosion control elements and facilities.
4. If the proposed project involves compressor or pump facilities, provide:
- pipe outside diameters;
- pipe material types and grades;
- pipe wall thicknesses;
- MOP and inlet and outlet design pressures;
- an indication of the presence of surge control systems;
- type and power of pumps or compressor units;
- fuel type and source for pumps or compressor units;
- a station schematic showing buildings and all major piping and valves including connections to existing pipeline systems;
- a plot plan of the facility including the location of roads and fences;
- description of boilers and pressure vessels;
- a general description of the corrosion control elements and facilities and overpressure control; and
- a general description of the pressure control and overpressure protection devices.
5. If the proposed project involves pressure regulating or metering facilities, provide:
- a description of the gas or fluid analysis system;
- minimum and maximum station flows and associated inlet and outlet pressures;
- a general description of the pressure control and overpressure protection devices;
- a description of the type and frequency of H2S analysis in the inlet gas stream;
- a station schematic showing buildings and all major piping and valves including connections to existing pipeline systems;
- a plot plan of the facility including the location of roads and fences;
- pipe outside diameter;
- pipe material type and grade;
- pipe wall thickness;
- MOP;
- a general description of the corrosion control elements and facilities; and
- if the measurement is being done for custody transfer purposes, include a description of the measurement equipment, including:
- physical size;
- flow capacity;
- measurement accuracy;
- meter type;
- number of meters; and
- proving method.
6. If the proposed project involves liquid tanks or other commodity storage facilities, provide:
- nominal and working capacity;
- maximum injection and takeaway flow rates;
- seasonal demand for injection and takeaway capacity and flow rates;
- a description of the containment and overflow prevention system;
- a description of overpressure prevention systems;
- a schematic showing storage tanks, buildings and all major piping and valves, including connections to existing pipeline systems;
- a plot plan of the facility including the location of roads and fences;
- pipe outside diameters;
- pipe material types and grades;
- pipe wall thicknesses;
- MOP;
- valve locations;
- a description of the fire suppression system, if applicable;
- a description of the vapour detection and containment system, if applicable;
- a description of the flaring system, if applicable; and
- a general description of the corrosion control elements and facilities, if applicable.
7. If the proposed project involves new control system facilities for a pipeline, plant or station, provide:
- a basic description of the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system related to the proposed facility, including the parameters monitored;
- a basic description of the leak detection system including its sensitivity and accuracy; and
- a basic description of the emergency shut down system.
8. If the proposed project involves gas processing, sulphur or liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant facilities, provide:
- an equipment and pipe list, including the pertinent engineering design information;
- plant capacity and LNG storage capacity;
- a process and instrumentation diagram (P&ID);
- a process flow description;
- plant feed and product specifications;
- a general description of the corrosion control elements and facilities; and
- a risk management plan.
9. If the proposed project involves facilities not mentioned above, provide a technical description of the proposed facilities that includes an equivalent level of information to that listed above.
10. If the proposed project involves a building, include the building’s use and dimensions.
11. If the proposed project is a new system that is a critical source of energy supply to an area, provide a description of the impact to the new system capabilities following the loss of any critical component such as a compressor, pump or pipeline.
A.1.2 Engineering Design Principles
Goal
The application includes information on the engineering codes, standards and regulations applicable to the project as well as information with respect to any special engineering design challenges associated with the project.
Filing Requirements
1. Confirm project activities will follow the requirements of the latest version of Canadian Standards Association Standard Z662, Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems (CSA Z662).
2. If the proposed project uses any of the Annexes, in whole or in part, that form part of CSA Z662, provide a statement indicating which Annex is being used and for what purpose.
3. If any portion of the proposed project involves a hydrocarbon pipeline, provide a statement confirming compliance with the latest version of the Canadian Energy Regulator Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR) or Canadian Energy Regulator Processing Plant Regulations (PPR).
3. If any portion of the proposed project involves a hydrocarbon pipeline, provide a statement confirming compliance with the latest version of the OPR or PPR.
4. Provide a listing of all primary codes and standards, including the version and date of issue that will be followed in the design, material selection, construction, operation and maintenance for each element of the applied-for facility, including:
- pipe;
- coatings;
- valves;
- fittings;
- cathodic protection systems;
- compressors and pumps;
- regulators and control valves;
- liquid tanks and other storage facilities;
- boilers or pressure vessels (including certifying authority used or required);
- electrical systems;
- SCADA;
- pressure control and overpressure protection;
- leak detection; and
- buildings.
Where there is a choice in the code or standard selected, provide a brief reason why the referenced code or standard is considered the appropriate code.
5. Provide confirmation that the project will comply with company manuals and confirm that, in turn, these manuals comply with the:
- OPR, if applicable;
- PPR, if applicable; and
- the codes and standards for the project.
Keep the latest versions of these manuals available for CER audit and file copies upon request.
6. If the proposed project involves any portion of a non-hydrocarbon commodity pipeline system provide a Quality Assurance (QA) program outlining the necessary action required to ensure the materials purchased for use in the proposed facility are appropriate for their intended service.
7. If the proposed facility will be subject to conditions not specifically addressed in CSA Z662 (e.g., seismic issues, fracture control, slope instability, pipe buoyancy, or lack of support due to streambank erosion) provide:
- a written statement from a qualified professional engineer that the project has been assessed and designed for the potential effects of the condition that is not specifically addressed in CSA Z662; and
- a description of the designs and measures required to safeguard the pipeline.
8. If the proposed project involves horizontal directional drilling, provide:
- a preliminary feasibility report detailing the assessment that was completed to determine that horizontal directional drilling could be successfully completed; and
- a description of the contingency plan to be used if the horizontal directional drill is not successful.
9. If the proposed project involves new materials, provide, in tabular format, material supply chain information (e.g., forming and manufacturing locations) and the associated Quality Assurance verification activity.
10. If the proposed project involves the reuse of materials, provide an engineering assessment in accordance with CSA Z662 that indicates its suitability for the intended service.
A.1.3 Canadian Energy Regulator Onshore Pipeline Regulations
Goal
The application meets the requirements of the OPR.
Filing Requirements
1. If any portion of the proposed project involves a hydrocarbon pipeline system requiring development of designs, specifications, programs, manuals, procedures, measures or plans for which no standard is set out in the OPR, provide copies to the CER for Commission approval. [OPR, subsection 5.1(1)].
2. If the project design is non-routine in nature or must incorporate unique challenges because of its geographical location (e.g., sub-sea pipelines; pipelines located north of the 60th parallel; pipelines transporting sour gas, acid gas or high vapour pressure products; or pipelines operating under any extreme or unusual circumstances), provide a QA program outlining the actions required to ensure the materials purchased for use in the proposed facility are appropriate for their intended service (OPR, section 15). See the Guidance topic below for further details.
3. If welding will be performed on a liquid-filled pipeline that has a carbon equivalent of 0.50% or greater and is a permanent installation, submit the following for approval (OPR, subsection 38(3)):
- welding specifications;
- procedures; and
- the results of procedure qualification tests for approval.
Guidance
Quality Assurance Program for Materials
The QA program in the above filing requirement ensures that materials purchased meet the company’s specified requirements. The rigor of the QA program should be consistent with the scale of the purchase order and its intended application (e.g., the purchase of a single small diameter fitting would not warrant the same degree of scrutiny as would a major pipeline construction project).
QA programs can include the elements of a recognized standard such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 series or quality management systems, and, where appropriate:
- requirements for the pipeline company’s (or its agents) evaluation of the manufacturer’s or supplier’s quality management system prior to the award of any contract;
- requirements for company (or its agents) audits and inspections during manufacture and fabrication, shipping, storage, etc.;
- requirements for random and progressive product testing;
- inspection procedures and inspector qualifications;
- requirements for handling and review of documentation;
- a system for managing non-conformances to specifications; and
- procedures for company acceptance of products.
- Date modified: