Revision of Guide E of the Filing Manual for National Energy Board Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR) Section 42 – Change in Class Location

Revision of Guide E of the Filing Manual for OPR Section 42 – Change in Class Location [PDF 106 KB]

File Ad-GA-RG-GFR-0104
6 January 2020

To: All Companies under the Jurisdiction of the Canada Energy Regulator

  • Revision of Guide E of the Filing Manual for National Energy Board Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR) Section 42 – Change in Class Location

The guidelines for reporting a change in class location pursuant to National Energy Board Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR) Section 42, as described in Filing Manual’s Guide E, attached here, have been revised as of 06 January 2020. The Guide E revision details the information the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) expects to see addressed when filing a change in class location. The revised reporting guidelines reflect the requirements of CSA Z662 and other information needed for the CER to oversee how companies ensure the safety of persons, and the protection of property and environment in the new class location.

In accordance with the revised Guide E, companies are expected to report to the CER any change in class location to a higher designation and submit the proposed plan to deal with the change. The proposed plan should demonstrate the adequacy and effectiveness of the company’s integrity management program to continue to operate the section of the pipeline with the safety and protection of the environment required for the new class location, following the requirements of CSA Z662. The design requirements of CSA Z662 may be applied or the suitability for continued service of the pipeline section at the new class location designation may be demonstrated.

The revised Guide E clarifies the CER’s expectation that the proposed plan must be submitted within six months after the change in class location occurred. Corrective and mitigative measures should be implemented as soon as practicable to ensure the safety of persons, and the protection of property and environment of the section of the pipeline in the new class location.

The CER has developed a class location change notification module under the OPR section of the Online Event Reporting System (OERS) that reflects the revised Guide E and will assist companies in submitting the plan electronically on the CER’s website.

Effective 06 January 2020, regulated companies are expected to follow Guide E as revised. The OERS is located on our website.

If you have any questions or require further information, contact dlerssupport@cer-rec.gc.ca.

Original signed by

Peter Watson, P.Eng, FCAE
Chief Executive Officer

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