Stream 4 Actions Progress Report
- Pipeline Abandonment - Physical Issues

4.1 Principles for End-State of Land

Draft principles were released for comment; final principles to be published as an amendment to the Guidance Notes that accompany the Onshore Pipeline Regulations and a reference placed in the NEB Filing Manual. Estimated timing to complete the Action: Draft principles by January 2009; Final principles by Summer 2009.

Completed Tasks:

Draft Principles for End-State of Land [Filing A22297]

4.2 Clarify Board's Jurisdiction

Advisory letter to parties. Estimated timing to complete the Action: Letter sent 2 February 2009. Some follow-up work anticipated to clarify jurisdictional issues/concerns.

Completed Tasks:

Advisory letter to parties [Filing A21043]

4.3 Develop Compliance Process

Use existing audit, inspection and enforcement tools to develop an approach to measuring performance of a Retirement and Reclamation Plan (RRP) in the abandonment phase. Estimated timing to complete the Action: 2010.

Completed Tasks:

RRP Table of Contents template drafted for discussion.

Shared RRP template with provincial regulators, a landowner association and industry associations.

Upcoming Tasks:

Identify applicable compliance tools and performance measures.

Draft a Guideline for the RRP compliance approach.

4.4 - Multi-Stakeholder Study Group

Develop terms of reference and seek support and participation from stakeholders. Estimated timing to complete the Action: End of March 2010. Subsequent activities will be ongoing.

Completed Tasks:

Initiated discussions with a landowner association, regulators and industry associations.

Upcoming Tasks:

Inform all LMCI interested parties about the formation of a committee to oversee requirements for studies, research, etc. and solicit members for the committee.

4.5 Assess Need for Agreements/Protocols

Initiate discussion with industry and other jurisdictions to determine the need for agreements and protocols. Participate as required on an on-going basis to ensure efficient outcomes. Estimated timing to complete the Action: December 2009.

Completed Tasks:

Contacted nine jurisdictions that have NEB regulated pipelines

Met with several regulators to explain the NEB abandonment approach and seek feedback on Action 4.5.

Met with industry associations and determined there was no need for ongoing involvement.

Upcoming Tasks:

Identify potential post -abandonment issues that could require agreements/protocols via meetings with Provincial and Territorial regulatory departments that wish to discuss the matter.

4.6 Address Stream 3 Outcomes

Assess and respond, as appropriate to the need to address physical abandonment issues, after outcomes of Stream 3 technical conference are identified. Estimated timing to complete the Action: December 2009.

Upcoming Tasks:

Monitor Stream 3 Technical Conference in November 2009.