Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. - Application to change the approved maximum operating pressure of the NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline and to remove the pipeline from Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010

Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. - Application to change the approved maximum operating pressure of the NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline and to remove the pipeline from Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 [PDF 670 KB]

File 4668651
1 June 2026

Lee Nanos
Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc.
310 - 45 Vogell Road
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P6

Dear Lee Nanos:

On 7 August 2025, the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) received an application (Application) from Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. (TNPI) pursuant to section 69 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act (CER Act), requesting that the Commission of the CER:

• vary Orders OPLO-2-14-68, OPLO-T2-38-76, OPLO-2-13-68, OPLO-T2-2-81, and OPLO-2-14-73 to change the approved maximum operating pressure (MOP) of each section of the nominal pipeline size (NPS) 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline (Pipeline) to 4 619 kilopascals (kPa);
• vary Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 to remove the Pipeline from Schedule C; and
• grant such further and other relief as TNPI may request and the Commission may consider appropriate.

For the reasons explained below, the Commission grants the requested relief.

Test for applications to review and vary previous decisions or orders

Subsection 69(1) of the CER Act provides that the Commission may review, vary, or rescind any decision or order it makes. There is no automatic right of review. Rather, the Commission has a discretionary power to review its decisions, which it must exercise sparingly and with caution.^{Footnote 1}

The Commission considers applications for review through a two-step process.^{Footnote 2} In step 1, the Commission considers whether the applicant has raised a doubt as to the correctness of the decision. The Commission will consider any ground that raises a doubt, including an error of law or of jurisdiction, changed circumstances or new facts that have arisen since the close of the original proceeding, or facts that were not placed in evidence in the original proceeding and that were then not discoverable by reasonable diligence. A review application must also include the nature of the prejudice or damage that has resulted or will result from the decision or order. If the Commission finds that the applicant has met step 1, then it will proceed to step s2 and determine whether the decision should be confirmed, amended, or overturned.

Application to amend Orders OPLO-2-14-68, OPLO-T2-38-76, OPLO-2-13-68, OPLO-T2-2-81, and OPLO-2-14-73 to change the MOP to 4 619 kPa

The Commission grants TNPI’s request to vary Orders OPLO-2-14-68, OPLO-T2-38-76, OPLO-2-13-68, OPLO-T2-2-81, and OPLO-2-14-73 to change the approved MOP for the Pipeline, on the basis that the circumstances of the Pipeline have changed since the issuance of each of the orders, and the new circumstances support the requested changes in MOP.

Orders OPLO-2-14-68, OPLO-T2-38-76 (as amended), OPLO-2-13-68, OPLO-T2-2-81, and OPLO-2-14-73 approve the following different MOPs for the five sections of the Pipeline, respectively: 1,200 pounds per square inch (psi) (equivalent of 8 274 kPa) for two sections, 1,174 psi (equivalent of 8 095 kPa), 8 955 kPa, and 1,475 psi (equivalent of 10 170 kPa).

To address safety concerns, the Pipeline has been restricted to a lower MOP since 20 September 2016, pursuant to Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, which, at the time of the Application, was 8 274 kPa. Rather than applying pursuant to Condition 4.f of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 to resume operating the Pipeline at its higher approved MOPs, TNPI applied to change the approved MOP for all sections of the Pipeline to the lower MOP of 4 619 kPa. The reduced MOP reflects a change in throughput requirements for the Pipeline relative to those that existed when it was initially listed in Schedule C of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010. The Commission finds that this change in throughput requirements is a change in circumstances that raises a doubt as to the correctness of the approved MOPs in Orders OPLO-2-14-68, OPLO-T2-38-76, OPLO-2-13-68, OPLO-T2-2-81, and OPLO-2-14-73.

The Commission is satisfied that TNPI has demonstrated through its submissions that it is safe to operate the Pipeline at an MOP of 4 619 kPa. In support of its Application, TNPI relied on an annual engineering assessment for the Pipeline that it submitted to the CER on 19 December 2024, in accordance with the requirements of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, as well as the “Engineering Assessment and CSA Z662 Compliance Review Report” submitted with the Application that provided an update on the fitness-for-service status of the Pipeline, and TNPI’s responses to CER requests for further information.

Accordingly, the Commission issues Orders AO-001-OPLO-2-14-68, AO-002-OPLO-T2-38-76, AO-001-OPLO-2-13-68, AO-001-OPLO-T2-2-81, and AO-001-OPLO-2-14-73 to change the MOP for the Pipeline to 4 619 kPa.

Application to vary Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 to remove the Pipeline from Schedule C

The Commission grants TNPI’s request to remove the Pipeline from Schedule C of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, on the basis that the circumstances of the Pipeline have changed since the issuance of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, and the new circumstances support the removal of the Pipeline from the order. The Commission notes that, because the Pipeline is the only remaining pipeline in Schedule C, its removal also results in the deletion of Schedule C in its entirety.

Two circumstances have changed since Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 was issued in relation to the Pipeline. First, the Commission has approved, above, a lower MOP of 4 619 kPa. Second, TNPI has demonstrated through its submissions that it has met the requirements of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 that apply to its entire pipeline system, including the Pipeline (i.e., Conditions 4.a to 4.e). As a result of these two changes in circumstance, the Commission is satisfied and concludes that TNPI has resolved the safety concerns that resulted in including the Pipeline in Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010. Accordingly, the Commission finds that it is no longer necessary to include the Pipeline in Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, and issues Order AO-016-SO-T217-03-2010 to vary Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 to remove the Pipeline from Schedule C.

Future applications

The Commission directs TNPI to the last paragraph of the Commission’s decision letter dated 28 April 2026^{Footnote 3} which sets out concerns about future applications that equally pertain to the Application. TNPI was required to correct deficiencies in the Application prior to the Commission arriving at its decision to grant the requested relief. The Commission reminds TNPI that it is TNPI’s responsibility to address these concerns before submitting any future applications to remove pipelines from Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010.

Yours sincerely,

Signed by

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

Attachments:
Order AO-001-OPLO-2-14-68
Order AO-002-OPLO-T2-38-76
Order AO-001-OPLO-2-13-68
Order AO-001-OPLO-T2-2-81
Order AO-001-OPLO-2-14-73
Order AO-016-SO-T217-03-2010

c.c. Jane Keast, TNPI
Gail Sharko, TNPI

ORDER AO-001-OPLO-2-14-68

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 1 June 2026.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 21 November 1968, the National Energy Board issued Order
Order OPLO-2-14-68;

AND WHEREAS Order OPLO-2-14-68 approves the maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 1,200 psi (equivalent of 8 274 kPa) for a portion of the nominal pipe size (NPS) 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 7 August 2025, to vary Order OPLO-2-14-68 and other orders to change the MOP for the entire NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline to 4 619 kPa;

AND WHEREAS on 1 June 2026, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order OPLO-2-14-68 is varied to change the MOP for a portion of the NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline to 4 619 kPa.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

Signed by

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

ORDER AO-002-OPLO-T2-38-76

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 1 June 2026.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 21 October 1976, the National Energy Board issued Order OPLO-T2-38-76, which it varied on 28 October 1976;

AND WHEREAS Order OPLO-T2-38-76, as amended, approves the maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 1,200 psi (equivalent of 8 274 kPa) for a portion of the nominal pipe size (NPS) 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 7 August 2025, to vary Order OPLO-T2-38-76 and other orders to change the MOP for the entire NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline to 4 619 kPa;

AND WHEREAS on 1 June 2026, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order OPLO-T2-38-76 is varied to change the MOP for a portion of the NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline to 4 619 kPa.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

Signed by

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

ORDER AO-001-OPLO-2-13-68

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 1 June 2026.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 7 November 1968, the National Energy Board issued Order OPLO-2-13-68;

AND WHEREAS Order OPLO-2-13-68 approves the maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 1,174 psi (equivalent of 8 095 kPa) for a portion of the nominal pipe size (NPS) 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 7 August 2025, to vary Order OPLO-2-13-68 and other orders to change the MOP for the entire NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline to 4 619 kPa;

AND WHEREAS on 1 June 2026, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order OPLO-2-13-68 is varied to change the MOP for a portion of the Ottawa Lateral pipeline to 4 619 kPa.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

Signed by

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

ORDER AO-001-OPLO-T2-2-81

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 1 June 2026.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 2 July 1981, the National Energy Board issued Order OPLO-T2-2-81;

AND WHEREAS Order OPLO-T2-2-81 approves the maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 8 955 kPa for a portion of the nominal pipe size (NPS) 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 7 August 2025, to vary Order OPLO-T2-2-81 and other orders to change the MOP for the entire NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline to 4 619 kPa;

AND WHEREAS on 1 June 2026, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order OPLO-T2-2-81 is varied to change the MOP for a portion of the NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline to 4 619 kPa.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

Signed by

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

ORDER AO-001-OPLO-2-14-73

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 1 June 2026.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 30 August 1973, the National Energy Board issued Order OPLO-2-14-73;

AND WHEREAS Order OPLO-2-14-73 approves the maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 1,475 psi (equivalent of 10 170 kPa) for a portion of the nominal pipe size (NPS) 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 7 August 2025, to vary Order OPLO-2-14-73 and other orders to change the MOP for the entire NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline to 4 619 kPa;

AND WHEREAS on 1 June 2026, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order OPLO-2-14-73 is varied to change the MOP for a portion of the NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline to 4 619 kPa.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

Signed by

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

ORDER AO-016-SO-T217-03-2010

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 1 June 2026.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 20 September 2016, the National Energy Board issued a Letter Decision and Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, which it varied on 24 October 2016 and 11 April 2017, and the Commission further varied on 17 July 2020, 8 June 2022, 6 September 2022, 1 November 2022, 30 November 2022, 5 September 2023, 11 March 2024, 9 September 2024, 10 June 2025, 15 August 2025, 4 February 2026, and 28 April 2026;

AND WHEREAS Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 imposes certain requirements on TNPI in relation to the safe operation of the nominal pipe size (NPS) 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline;

AND WHEREAS the CER received an application from TNPI, dated 7 August 2025, to vary Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 to remove this pipeline from Schedule C, and to vary Orders OPLO-2-14-68, OPLO-T2-38-76, OPLO-2-13-68, OPLO-T2-2-81, and OPLO-2-14-73 to change the maximum operating pressure of the pipeline to 4 619 kPa;

AND WHEREAS on 1 June 2026, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, as amended, is varied by deleting Line 1 in Schedule C to remove the NPS 12 Ottawa Lateral pipeline and, as a result, deleting Schedule C in its entirety.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

Signed by

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

Date modified:

2026-07-27