Planned update and changes in Detailed Incident Report (DIR) submission requirements to the Canada Energy Regulator’s Online Event Reporting System (OERS)
File OF-Gen 10
3 November 2022
To: All Pipeline Companies under Canada Energy Regulator Jurisdiction
- Planned update and changes in Detailed Incident Report (DIR) submission requirements to the Canada Energy Regulator’s Online Event Reporting System (OERS)
The Canada Energy Regulator’s (CER) mandate includes oversight of the construction and operation of pipelines, and the CER plays a key role in ensuring pipeline safety throughout the pipeline lifecycle. Companies are required to notify the CER and the Transportation Safety Board of events including incidents, contraventions of Damage Prevention Regulations – Authorizations, damage to pipe, and operations and maintenance activities.
Companies report these events through the OERS. To ensure adequate and relevant information is being provided by companies when an incident is reported, regular updates to the OERS are performed. These updates ensure that CER staff can effectively perform an incident review, including assessment of the site conditions, potential consequences, and adequacy of the company’s mitigation measures
On 30 November 2022, the CER plans to update the OERS and several sections within the event submission process. These changes will not affect Preliminary Incident Report submissions and will only change information being requested for Detailed Incident Report submissions which are required within 12 weeks of reporting an incident. This update includes revised submission requirements for a small family of Event Types including Release of Substance; Operation Beyond Design Limits; Geo-technical, Hydro-technical or Environmental Activity that Threatens the Safe Operation of a Pipeline; and Damage to Pipeline, Equipment, or Installation.
These changes will be a more efficient method of providing the CER with needed information to assess and close incidents and will reduce the frequency and scope of Information Requests.
The following sections for the above-mentioned Event Types in the OERS are being updated:
- Operating Conditions – Information on the pipeline such as material and grade, wall thickness, and operating pressure at time of event. Changes to this section include:
- Minor changes to text and fields headings;
- Removal of five fields previously requesting information;
- Addition of one new ‘optional’ field; and
- Depending on Event Type, a maximum of twelve existing fields have been changed to ‘mandatory’ prior to DIR submission.
- Welds and Pipe Coatings – information including weld/seam type and coating type and condition of regulated asset. Changes to this section include:
- Minor changes to text, fields headings and dropdown list options;
- Removal of seven fields previously requesting information; and
- Depending on Event Type, a maximum of three existing fields have been changed to ‘mandatory’ prior to DIR submission.
- Maintenance History – inspection history and maintenance information as well as other history information that is applicable to the event. Changes to this section include:
- Minor changes to text, fields headings and dropdown list options;
- Removal of two fields previously requesting information;
- Addition of one new ‘optional’ field; and
- Depending on Event Type, a maximum of six existing fields have been changed to ‘mandatory’ prior to DIR submission.
- Pipeline Exposures – details surrounding the exposure of pipe such as the reason or cause for exposure and possible geohazard or interacting threats to pipeline at the event location. Changes to this section include:
- Addition of twenty-five new fields (three being ‘optional’ and 21 being ‘mandatory’ for DIR submission).
For additional information about the upcoming changes to the OERS, please contact the CER via email at dlerssupport@cer-rec.gc.ca, via telephone at 1-800-899-1265, or contact Chioma Izugbokwe, Director, Research & Innovation, via telephone at 403-354-4364 or via email at Chioma.Izugbokwe@cer-rec.gc.ca.
Best regards,
Signed by
Barb van Noord
Vice President, System Operations
Attachment
Attachment to Canada Energy Regulator Letter
dated 3 November 2022
This document outlines the changes in submission requirements the Canada Energy Regulator is implementing in the 30 November 2022 update to the Online Event Reporting System.
These changes will not affect Preliminary Incident Report submissions and will only change information being requested for Detailed Incident Report (DIR) submissions.
Operating Conditions Changes
Changes will affect submissions for the following Event Types:
- Release of Substance;
- Operation Beyond Design Limits;
- Geo-technical, Hydro-technical or Environmental Activity that Threatens the Safe Operation of a Pipeline; and/or
- Damage to Pipeline, Equipment, or Installation.
Optional field requested with DIR:
| Field |
|---|
Provide information on any notable operating conditions changes over the life of this pipeline/component, such as changes to service fluid, flow direction, and operating pressure. |
Existing fields being changed to mandatory (depending on Event Type) for DIR submission:
| Field |
|---|
Enter the design standard (including year). |
Nominal Pipe Size. |
Material. |
Material Grade. |
Wall Thickness. |
Enter the licensed maximum operating pressure (MOP) (kPa). |
Enter the restricted operating pressure (kPa) – if any. |
Enter the actual operating pressure (kPa) at time of failure. |
Enter the designed depth of cover (m). |
Enter the actual depth of cover (m). |
Enter the name of the manufacturer. |
Enter the year when put into service. |
Maintenance History Changes
Changes will affect submissions for the following Event Types:
- Release of Substance;
- Operation Beyond Design Limits; and/or
- Geo-technical, Hydro-technical or Environmental Activity that Threatens the Safe Operation of a Pipeline.
Optional field requested with DIR:
| Field |
|---|
Elaborate on the presence of a routine maintenance program, and the type and date of the most recent maintenance work for the failed equipment or component. |
Existing fields being changed to mandatory (depending on Event Type) for DIR submission:
| Field |
|---|
Equipment or component has never been inspected. |
What was the date of the most recent inspection, prior to the event, of the failed equipment or component? |
Inspection Type. |
Was the most recent inspection part of the routine inspection program? |
No maintenance done on this equipment or component. |
What was the date of the most recent maintenance work for the failed equipment or component? |
Welds and Pipe Coatings Changes
Changes will affect submissions for the following Event Types:
- Operation Beyond Design Limits; and/or
- Geo-technical, Hydro-technical or Environmental Activity that Threatens the Safe Operation of a Pipeline
Existing fields being changed to mandatory (depending on Event Type) for DIR submission:
| Field |
|---|
Coating Type. |
Coating Condition. |
Application Method. |
Pipeline Exposures
Changes will affect submissions for the following Event Types:
- Operation Beyond Design Limits – Where there is exposed pipe as a result of event.
Optional fields requested with DIR:
| Field |
|---|
If available, submit photographs of the location of the exposure. Indicate location(s), flow direction and the length(s) of supported and unsupported pipeline. |
Was this site previously identified as a Geohazards site? |
Provide a list of the risks and the mitigation that will be implemented to lower the levels of each risk. |
Additional mandatory fields being requested with DIR:
| Field |
|---|
What is the cause of the pipe exposure? |
Provide a description and more information on the event that led to the pipe exposure. |
Are there any buoyancy control measures applied at this location? |
Provide a description of the buoyancy control(s) including its condition and efficacy. |
Does the company have any concerns with buoyancy due to pipeline exposure? If yes, provide a description of the concern. |
Describe the existing monitoring program for the site. |
Provide a description of the temporary monitoring and mitigation measures that will be implemented to ensure that the pipe is safe until permanent mitigation measures are implemented. |
Is there potential for any objects to impact the pipeline? |
Describe the nature of the objects and how the company will mitigate and monitor this threat. |
Is the exposed pipeline in an area with potential of third-party activity? |
If applicable, provide a description of any potential impacts on drinking water sources or other environmentally sensitive areas near the exposure location. |
Is the exposed pipeline subject to other potentially interacting threats (e.g., corrosion, cracking, dents, etc.)? |
Describe the potentially interacting threats. |
What assessments, evaluations, and analyses have been performed? |
Provide a summary of the findings. |
Have mitigation and monitoring measures been performed and/or planned? |
Describe the short-term and/or long-term measures. |
Provide the timelines of mitigation implementation and monitoring frequencies, where applicable. |
Provide justification why mitigation and monitoring measures are not required. |
Is the risk level of the exposure acceptable and is the pipeline suitable for continued service? |
Describe how the company has determined the risk. |
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