Pipeline Performance

Paths to Improvement
Dave Grzyb, Authorizations Branch
March 27, 2014

Outline
Pipeline Inventory and Performance
highlights
Problem areas
Possible solutions

Pipeline Inventory
Presently >415,000 km* (includes 11,500 km of
gas utility pipeline in AUC jurisdiction)
Plus ~ 30,000 km of transmission systems, under
NEB jurisdiction

86% of AER jurisdiction are steel pipelines

91% of AER jurisdiction are 6 (168.3 cm)
diameter and smaller, typical of production fields
*end of 2012

Pipeline Incidents 1990 - 2012

Pipeline Incident Frequency 1990 - 2012

Pipeline Incident Cause 1990 - 2012

What do we know about incidents?

Almost 91% of incidents are on 6 pipe and
smaller.
Need to consider the root cause, Why did we
have this corrosion failure?
Detailed review shows that failure of controls
is a predominant reason incidents occur.

Example external corrosion, but

Failure of construction control

Cue the Regulations

If we have failure of controls, then is the
solution to have more regulations?
Requirements are already extensive.
Are they being applied adequately?
Too complex?
Lack of understanding or competency?
Insufficient time, money, or commitment?

Difficulty in managing the number of tasks?

10

How to manage the controls?

Pipeline owners must manage a number of
complex tasks
Design and engineering
Construction, and quality inspection

Operations and maintenance

Ensuring personnel competency
Managing change, operational and personnel

Self-audit and continuous improvement

CSA Z662 provides some tools to help

11

CSA Z662 Integrity Management Program

AER mandated for all pipelines June 06.
Procedures for managing the integrity of the
pipeline system by
assessing risks, mitigating risks, managing integrity
data, and monitoring results

Much broader than just corrosion

Allows for some performance-based regulation

IMP develops procedures, but how do we ensure

they are followed?
12

CSA Z662 Safety and Loss

Management System
Addition to Z662 in 2007, mandatory
A documented system of management
System to ensure programs are implemented

Requires leadership commitment, definition of

policy, operational controls, management of
change, continual improvement, record keeping

13

Implementation of SLMS and IMP

Both are mandated requirements
Require significant development effort
Assessment process still to be developed
Reflect complexities of different systems

Define minimum components

Pipeline Safety Review of 2013

A number of the recommendations could be
addressed within a SLMS

14

Summary
IMPs and SLMS are requirements in Alberta
and other jurisdictions
Licensees must identify potential threats,
develop programs and processes for
managing them, and demonstrate that you are
doing so
Significant work to implement, but are
expected to prevent incidents

15

Why now?
Unprecedented public interest in all resource
development activity
Need to improve and preserve pipeline
industrys social license to operate
Acceptance of pipelines is crucial to Canadas
business needs, and social well-being

16

Lac-Megantic, P.Q.

Image CTV News

Gainford, AB

Image CTV News