Filing Manual - Guide A - Facilities Applications

Guide A.3 - Economics

Information on economics is required in an application when the applied-for facilities would result in one or more of the following:

  • the construction of a new pipeline;
  • an increase in pipeline capacity or throughput on an existing regulated pipeline; or
  • a change in the type of commodity being transported on an existing regulated pipeline.

Economics information must include details on:

  • supply;
  • transportation;
  • markets; and
  • financing.

The overall purpose for filing information on facility economics is to demonstrate that the applied-for facilities will be used, will be useful, and that demand charges will be paid.

A.3.1 Supply

Goal

The application includes information indicating that there is or will be adequate supply to support the use of the pipeline, taking into account all potential supply sources that could reasonably be expected to be sourced by the applied-for facilities over their expected economic life.

Filing Requirements

Provide:

1. a description of each commodity (e.g., crude oil, natural gas or NGL);

2. a discussion of all potential supply sources;

3. a forecast of the productive capacity for each commodity over the economic life of the facilities; and

4. for pipelines with contracted capacity, a discussion of the contractual arrangements underpinning the supply.

Guidance

When determining what level of supply information to provide, be aware that the NEB must be satisfied that there is, or will be, an adequate supply available to the pipeline such that the applied-for facilities could be expected to be used at a reasonable level over their economic life and would be in the public interest.

The level of detail in the supply information would normally correspond to:

  • the projected increase in capacity or throughput;
  • the nature and complexity of the supply source; and
  • the potential impact on the public interest, commercial or otherwise.

Generally, the greater the projected increase in capacity or throughput, the greater the amount of supply information that would be required. Additional information might be required for proposed projects that have a larger potential impact on third parties or the environment to demonstrate that the project is in the public interest.

Commodity Description

Describe each commodity that would be affected by the applied-for facilities. Adhere to the guidelines for describing commodities provided in Section 1.10 - Measurement, Conversation Factors and Commodity Description.

Resources

Describe each current and potential supply source that the applied-for facilities are relying upon, including the methodology used to derive these estimates.

Productive Capacity

Forecast the current and future production over the economic life of the project. Include forecasts from:

  • the various supply sources; and
  • conventional and unconventional production as well as production from other basins that could be sourced.

Clearly describe the sources for and the methodology used to derive the forecasts.

Contractual Arrangements

For pipelines with contracted capacity, include a description of any relevant contractual arrangements underpinning the supply arrangements. Also include key contractual terms such as length of contract and volumes under contract, where available.

A.3.2 Transportation Matters

Goal

The application includes information indicating that the volumes to be transported are appropriate for the applied-for facilities and that the proposed facilities are likely to be utilized at a reasonable level over their economic life.

Filing Requirements

Pipeline Capacity

1. In the case of an expansion to an existing pipeline, provide:

  • the pipeline capacity before the expansion capacity is added;
  • the added capacity of the expansion project;
  • the pipeline capacity as it would be following the expansion; and
  • a justification that the capacity of the pipeline expansion is appropriate in terms of incremental volumes to be shipped on the expanded facility.

2. In the case of a new pipeline, provide a justification that the capacity of the new pipeline will be appropriate for the productive capacity or supply that would be available to the pipeline.

Throughput

1. For pipelines with contracted capacity, provide information on contractual arrangements underpinning the projected throughput volumes.

2. For all pipelines other than pipelines with contracted capacity, provide a forecast of projected throughput volumes by commodity type, receipt location and delivery destination on an annual basis over the economic life of the applied-for facilities.

3. If the proposed project results in an increase in throughput capacity, provide:

  • the theoretical and sustainable daily, seasonal and annual capabilities of the existing and the proposed facilities versus the current and forecasted requirements, indicating any contracted interruptible quantities; and
  • the flow formulae and flow calculations used to determine the daily or hourly (as appropriate) capabilities of the proposed facilities and the underlying assumptions and parameters, including a description of the gas or fluid properties.

4. Where more than one type of commodity would be transported in the same pipeline, describe the segregation of the commodities, including where applicable, potential contamination issues or cost impacts.

Guidance

Information submitted on transportation matters should:

  • demonstrate that the capacity of the applied-for facilities is appropriate for the commodities and volumes that would be transported in the pipeline; and
  • provide sufficient evidence to assure the Board that the applied-for facilities will be used at a reasonable level over their economic life.

Information on pipeline capacity, projected throughput or contracted volumes and, if applicable, supply available to the pipeline, could be provided in tabular format. Where it would provide clarity, a graphical representation could also be included.

Pipeline Capacity

Provide an estimate of the average annual capacity of the pipeline for the commodity or commodities transported.

Where pipeline capacity would be increased as a result of the construction of the applied-for facilities, include the pipeline capacity that would be added as well as the resultant total capacity of the pipeline.

In all cases where there will be a substantial difference between pipeline capacity and contracted volumes or projected throughput, include an explanation of the difference.

In the case where the subject pipeline is one of a number of pipelines serving a particular supply area, provide a description of the overall service for the area and the role the subject pipeline plays in serving the area relative to throughput volumes and productive capacity for the supply area.

Contractual Arrangements

Transportation agreement evidence is required when the applied-for facilities relate to the transportation of natural gas.

Describe the contracted volume and term by shipper. When possible, submit evidence of the transportation agreements, such as signed execution sheets and copies of the contracts. Contractual evidence must be of sufficient detail to assure the Board that the facilities will be used at a reasonable level and that demand charges will be paid.

Projected Throughput

A throughput forecast is required for liquids facilities (e.g., crude oil and NGL).

Also include a forecast of supply that could reasonably be expected to be available to the pipeline over the economic life of the applied-for facilities.

Describe the projected annual throughput of each commodity by source, location and delivery destination over the expected economic life of the applied-for facilities.

Commodity Integrity on Multi-Product Pipelines
(where applicable)

In the case of multi-product pipelines for a new pipeline, or where the applied-for facilities could affect the integrity of any of the transported commodities, include a discussion of the methods that will be used to segregate or protect the integrity of the commodity types. Describe any potential contamination issues or cost impacts and strategies that will be used to mitigate any potential problems.

A.3.3 Markets

Goal

The application includes information indicating that adequate markets exist for the incremental volumes that would be available to the marketplace as a result of the applied-for facilities.

Filing Requirements

Provide:

1. an analysis of the market in which each commodity is expected to be used or consumed; and

2. a discussion of the physical capability of downstream facilities to accept the incremental volumes that would be delivered.

Guidance

Information on markets is required to assure the NEB that there is sufficient demand to absorb the incremental volumes and, where applicable, physical capability in the downstream facilities to accept the incremental volumes. Where long-term transportation and downstream arrangements are in place, the required market information will be more general in nature, but must be adequate to allow the Board to determine whether the market demand will be sufficient to support the economic feasibility of the pipeline.

The level of detail will correspond to:

  • the magnitude of the incremental volumes that would be delivered into the market;
  • the degree of competition from other supply areas and from other fuels in the market to be served; and
  • the potential impact on the public interest, commercial or otherwise.

Generally, the greater the projected increase in volumes delivered to the marketplace, the greater the amount of market information that would be required. Proposed projects that have a larger potential impact on third parties or the environment may require filing additional information to demonstrate that the project is in the public interest.

Description of the Market

Describe the market that will receive the commodity, including, where applicable:

  • where the commodity could be delivered (e.g., gas hub or designated refinery);
  • the potential competition to serve the market or the market areas from other pipelines;
  • energy sources; and
  • transportation systems.
Ability of Upstream and Downstream Facilities to Accept Incremental Volumes

In cases where the applied-for facilities would be delivering a commodity or commodities to a downstream facility, provide assurance that the downstream facility is physically able to accept the additional volumes being delivered.

In addition to the filing guidance contained above, Applicants are to not that as of 1 January 2008, the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) put into effect requirements for the measurement and metering of fluids on pipelines entering or leaving the Province of British Columbia as outlined in the OGC Measurement Requirements for Upstream Oil and Gas Operations Manual - Chapter 7 - Cross Border Measurement. Companies should determine whether any of their NEB-regulated facilities handle BC production and fall within these provincial measurement requirements for such production.

Table A-4 Overview of Supply, Transportation and Markets Filing Requirements [WORD 56 KB]
Table A-4 Overview of Supply, Transportation and Markets Filing Requirements [PDF 111 KB]

A.3.4 Financing

Goals

The application provides a discussion of the following points:

  • the applicant's ability to finance the proposed facilities;
  • the method of financing the facilities;
  • any changes to the financial risk of the company associated with its intended method of financing the facilities; and
  • the toll impact of the proposed facilities including the extent of any cross-subsidization.

Filing Requirements

Additional information...

All applications submitted pursuant to either section 52 or 58 of the NEB Act must include the information stated in requirements 1 through 3.

In addition, applications with significant toll impacts must also include the information stated in requirement 4.

1. Provide evidence of the ability to finance the proposed facilities.

2. Indicate the estimated toll impact for the first full year that the facilities are expected to be in service.

3. Confirm shippers have been apprised of the project and associated toll impact. Provide a summary of their concerns, if any, and the plans to address these concerns.

4. For applications with significant toll impacts, provide additional toll details for:

  • existing facilities;
  • the aggregate of existing and proposed facilities; and
  • the first five years that the proposed facilities are forecast to be in service.
Guidance

The NEB needs sufficient information to allow it and interested parties to understand the application and the impacts on third parties, and to make a decision. The information provided should demonstrate that the applied-for project is financially sound given the approved toll methodology and that it is not being cross-subsidized in an inappropriate manner.

While the NEB would find the information identified in the filing requirements to be satisfactory in most instances, it may be necessary to provide further information. In general, more detailed information should be provided for projects that are greater in complexity and scope. Examples of factors that could affect the complexity and scope of a project include the:

  • toll impact of the proposed facilities;
  • proposed toll design methodology;
  • level of market power held by the applicant, including its affiliates;
  • number of shippers on the system;
  • number of third parties that could be affected by the proposed facilities and the level of effect on these parties; and
  • the financial risk assumed by the applicant.

Determine the level of information to include for each filing requirement based on the factors described above, and provide any additional information that would be pertinent.

Finance Information

Evidence that the applicant has the ability to finance the proposed facilities should include, but not be limited to:

  • a description of the intended methods and sources of financing the proposed facilities;
  • a description of any financing already in place; and
  • a description of any restrictive provisions concerning future financing, any changes in capital structure, the impact on interest coverage ratios and other factors that could affect the financing of the proposed facilities.
Toll Details

Toll details will include:

  • the annual toll impact;
  • where tolls are cost-based, the cost of service and rate base by main elements;
  • where tolls are not cost-based, the revenues from and costs of providing service by main elements;
  • the method and rates of depreciation by plant accounts, if different from those approved by the NEB; and
  • if not already filed with the NEB, copies of the relevant additional tariffs, transportation contracts or operating agreements associated with the new facilities.

A.3.5 Non-NEB Regulatory Facility Approvals

Goal

The application includes information on other regulatory processes that are being undertaken with respect to the project.

Filing Requirements

1. Confirm that all non-NEB regulatory approvals required to allow the applicant to meet its construction schedule, planned in-service date and to allow the facilities to be used and useful are or will be in place.

Confirm that all non-NEB regulatory approvals, required to allow the applicant to meet the construction schedule and planned in-service date and to allow the facilities to be used and useful, are or will be in place.

2. If any of the approvals referred to in #1 may be delayed, describe the status of those approval(s) and provide an estimation of when the approval is anticipated.

Guidance

The NEB requires information regarding the status of all required federal, provincial, state and municipal approvals or authorizations to be reasonably assured that there are no issues before other regulators that would prevent or delay either the construction or use of the applied-for facilities. Updates on status may also be provided after an application has been submitted.

 

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Date Modified:
2011-10-28