ARCHIVED - Letter and Order KF-001-2014 to NOVA Gas Transmission Limited pursuant pursuant to Section 51.1 of the National Energy Board Act
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OF-Surv-Inc-2013-146
3 October 2014
Mr. Roel P. Lancée
Manager, Canadian Regulatory Compliance
TransCanada Pipelines Limited
450 – 1st Street S.W.
Calgary, Alberta, T2P 5H1
Dear Mr. Lancée:
Re: TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TransCanada)
NPS 36 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. North Central Corridor (NCC) Buffalo Creek West Section (Loop)
Following Incident 2013-146, in a letter dated 23 September 2014, TransCanada submitted an Engineering Assessment which demonstrated that the operating pressure on the NCC Buffalo West Creek Section from NCC30-1-BV to NCC20-1-BV can safely be increased from the restricted pressure of 7168 kPa to 7750 kPa, while maintaining a maximum discharge temperature of 35 degree Celsius at the Woodenhouse compressor station. As such, the undersigned Inspection Officer has lifted Inspection Officer Order (IOO) No. KF-001-2013.
While the Engineering Assessment shows that the loop can safely be operated at a pressure up to 7750 kPa, TransCanada has not demonstrated that the loop is fit for service at the full Maximum Operating Pressure (MOP) of 9930 kPa following Incident 2013-146. Accordingly, the undersigned Inspection Officer believes that a hazard to the safety or security of the public, or TransCanada employees or a detriment to property or the environment is being or will be caused by the loop if the loop is operated at a pressure above 7750 kPa and has issued IOO No. KF-001-2014. This IOO limits the operating pressure on the NCC Buffalo West Creek Section from NCC30-1-BV to NCC20-1-BV to 7750 kPa and limits the maximum discharge temperature at 35 degree Celcius at the Woodenhouse compressor station.
If you have questions, you can reach the undersigned Inspection Officer at 
.
Sincerely,
Encl. 1
Officer’s init
Order #
Year
IN THE MATTER OF THE NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD ACT,
AN ORDER UNDER SECTION 51.1
On 3 October 2014, the undersigned National Energy Board inspection officer conducted an investigation of NOVA Gas Transmission Limited (NGTL) 36” North Central Corridor (NCC) pipeline rupture (Incident 2013-146), which occurred on 17 October 2013.
The inspection officer has noted the following:
- TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TCPL) operates the 36” NCC pipeline on behalf of NOVA Gas Transmission Limited;
- Since the pipeline has been put back in service after the rupture (Incident 2013-146), TCPL has operated the 36” NCC Buffalo Creek West Section between the valves NCC30-1-BV and NCC20-1-BV at a pressure equal or below 7168 kPa, while maintaining a maximum discharge temperature of 35 degree Celsius at the Woodenhouse compressor station;
- TCPL submitted on 23 September 2014 an Engineering Assessment demonstrating that the operating pressure on the NCC Buffalo Creek West Section from NCC30-1-BV to NCC20-1-BV can safely be increased from the restricted pressure of 7168 kPa to 7750 kPa, while maintaining a maximum discharge temperature of 35 degree Celsius at the Woodenhouse compressor station;
- TCPL has not provided an engineering assessment or otherwise demonstrated that the NCC Buffalo Creek West Section from NCC30-1-BV to NCC20-1-BV is fit for service at full Maximum Operating Pressure (MOP) of 9930 kPa.
Based on the above, the inspection officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a hazard to the safety or security of the public, or employees of a company or a detriment to property or the environment is being or will be caused by the construction, operation, maintenance or abandonment of the pipeline.
Therefore, TransCanada PipeLines Limited is HEREBY ORDERED, pursuant to section 51.1 of the National Energy Board Act, to
Specified Measures: TCPL shall not operate the 36” NCC pipeline Buffalo Creek West Section between the valves NCC30-1-BV and NCC20-1-BV at a pressure above 7750 kPa and shall not operate with a discharge temperature above 35 degree Celsius at the Woodenhouse compressor station, until TCPL has provided an engineering assessment that is acceptable to the Inspection Officer, demonstrating that the pipeline can safely be operated above this pressure and discharge temperature. As soon as practicable after receiving this order, TCPL shall confirm to the Inspection Officer that (1) it is operating the loop within the restrictions of this order and (2) overpressure protection devices have been adjusted to protect the line from exceeding the restricted pressure in accordance with CSA Z662-11.
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