ARCHIVED - Letter and Order SO-P384-001-2014 to Plains Midstream Canada ULC

Letter and Order SO-P384-001-2014 to Plains Midstream Canada ULC [PDF 107 KB]

File OF-Surv-OpAud-P102-2009-2010 01
17 March 2014

Ms. Cailee Ellis
Manager Regulatory Compliance
Plains Midstream Canada ULC
Suite 1400 - 607 8^th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, AB  T2P 0A7
Facsimile 403 233 0399

Dear Ms. Ellis:

Plains Midstream Canada ULC (Plains) filings pursuant to Safety Order
SO-P384-001-2014 dated 25 October 2013 requesting the lifting of the pressure restriction on Wascana crude oil mainline

On 20 October 2011, the National Energy Board (NEB or Board) issued Safety Order SO-P384-001-2014 (Order) to Plains imposing a precautionary pressure restriction on the Wascana crude oil mainline.

On 25 October 2013, Plains requested in accordance with Condition 8 of the Order, that the Board lift the pressure restriction on the Wascana crude oil mainline. Plains provided evidence that Conditions 1-7 of the Order have been met. The Board has reviewed the information provided by Plains including the recommendations made by Cootes Engineering Ltd. and the recommendations made by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) in the 7 February 2013 report respecting the Fitness-for-Service assessment.

The Board is of the view that Plains has fulfilled the requirements of the Order. The Board has approved Plains’ request to lift the pressure restriction imposed under the Order subject to the conditions included in the attached Order SO-P384-001-2014.

Yours truly,

Sheri Young,
Secretary of the Board

Attachment

BEFORE the Board on 13 March 2014.

WHEREAS the Board issued Safety Order SO-P384-001-2014 (Order) imposing a pressure restriction on Wascana crude oil mainline and required Plains to comply with all the conditions contained in the Order;

AND WHEREAS Plains has sought approval to lift the pressure restriction set out in Condition 1 of the Order;

AND WHEREAS Plains submitted a written request in accordance with Condition 8 of the Order seeking approval to lift the pressure restriction on the Wascana crude oil mainline and provided evidence that Conditions 1-7 of the Order have been met;

AND WHEREAS the Board has considered Plains’ submissions related to the Order;

AND WHEREAS Order AO-002-MO-52-76 authorizes Plains to operate the Wascana crude oil mainline at a Maximum Operating Pressure (MOP) of 7,200 kPa (1044 psi) for the Regina to Ceylon section and 6,900 kPa (1000 psi) for the Ceylon to a point on the International Border between Canada and the United States section;

AND WHEREAS the Board is satisfied that it is safe for Plains to operate the Wascana crude oil mainline at the MOP authorized by Order AO-002-MO-52-76, subject to the conditions below;

IT IS ORDERED THAT, pursuant to section 12 and 48 of the Act, the pressure restriction imposed in the Order is lifted subject to the following conditions:

1. 1. (a) Nine (9) months after returning the Wascana crude oil pipeline to service, Plains shall re-assess the remaining fatigue life estimations for cracks and the unrepaired dents using the appropriate weighting for the number of cycles associated with each direction of flow.
2. (b) Plains shall file with the Board a report respecting the re-assessment no later than twelve (12) months after returning the Wascana crude oil pipeline to service. The report shall include the results of the re-assessment and mitigation measures that address threats to the pipeline identified in the re-assessment.
3. 2. (a) Plains shall re-inspect the Wascana crude oil mainline for corrosion metal loss no later than 31 October 2015. After conducting the re-inspection, Plains shall conduct an assessment of the fitness-for-purpose for corrosion metal loss of the Wascana crude oil mainline.
4. (b) Within six (6) months after conducting the re-inspection, Plains shall file with the Board a report respecting the assessment of the fitness-for-purpose for corrosion metal loss of the Wascana crude oil mainline. The report shall include field data validation results and the corrosion growth.
5. 3. (a) Plains shall conduct a baseline crack in-line inspection on the Wascana crude oil mainline no later than 31 December 2015.
6. (b) Within six (6) months after conducting the baseline crack in-line inspection, Plains shall file with the Board a report that summarizes the findings of the inspection and includes the mitigation measures required to maintain the integrity of the pipeline.
7. 4. (a) Plains shall conduct a depth of cover survey on the Wascana crude oil mainline including water crossings no later than 31 December 2014.
8. (b) Within three (3) months after conducting the survey, Plains shall file with the Board the results of the survey. The results of the survey shall include the mitigation measures required to maintain a proper depth of cover over the pipeline.

NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD

Sheri Young
Secretary of the Board

SO-P384-001-2014

Date modified:

2020-09-29