Notifying of an update to CSA Standard Z662 and a new pipeline notification process for industry.
DATE ISSUED: Oct. 6, 2023
EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) released a new edition of CSA Z662 Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems in June 2023, with the updates incorporated into the Pipeline Regulation and the Drilling and Production Regulation.
As there are significant changes and additions to the standard, the British Columbia Energy Regulator (BCER) requires all companies to review CSA Z662-23 Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems and take the necessary steps to ensure compliance. On all pipeline applications, permit holders must confirm if they are following the safety class approach outlined in Annex C of CSA Z662-23.
Several CSA standards, including CSA Z662, are available to download at no fee. The BCER is part of a group of energy regulators in western Canada providing free access to these important technical standards.
Notifications for Pipeline Activity
Effective July 10, 2023, a notification permission is to be included in all new pipeline permits and amendments, to provide permit holders a means of notifying the BCER of administrative and/or pipeline activity where an amendment is not necessary.
- Notifications can be submitted through e-Submission after the notification permission has been added to the pipeline permit.
- If the pipeline permit does not include the notification permission, permit holders must submit an amendment application.
- Once the permission has been added, the permit holder may use the notification process for future pipeline changes that meet the criteria for notification.
The Oil and Gas Activity Operations Manual; the Oil and Gas Activity Application Manual and the AMS User Manual have been updated with this notification process. Only those activities listed in the notification permission can be submitted as a notification. A list of those activities can be found here.
The “Notification for Pipeline Activity” section of Frequently Asked Questions on bc-er.ca has been updated to provide further guidance.
If you have any questions regarding this Technical Update, please contact:
James Nazareth
Supervisor, Pipeline & Facility Technical Compliance
BC Energy Regulator
250-980-6054
Tarilee Rauscher
Director, Authorizations
BC Energy Regulator
250-794-5297