Stream 4 Actions Progress Report
- Pipeline Abandonment - Physical Issues

4.1 Principles for End-State of Land

Final principles were issued on 21 July 2009; these are to be published as an amendment to the Guidance Notes that accompany the Onshore Pipeline Regulations and a reference is to be placed in the NEB Filing Manual.

Completed Tasks:

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

4.2 Clarify Board's Jurisdiction

Advisory letter to parties sent 2 February 2009 fulfills this commitment.

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:

Pipeline Abandonment Physical Issues Committee membership was confirmed. All interested parties were advised of the participants and their roles via a Board letter. The first meeting was held in the NEB offices on 23 March 2010. The minutes of this meeting are available on the NEB website.

The minutes of subsequent Pipeline Abandonment Physical Issues Committee meeting will be posted on the NEB Website as meetings occur and minutes are approved by 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.

A summary report on discussions with provincial and territorial jurisdictions will be produced in 2010.

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:

No Stream 3 outcomes on physical issues other than those already accommodated under existing Stream 4 actions were identified from the Stream 3 Reasons for Decision RH-2-2008 or the Technical Conference held in November 2009 so there is no need to announce Board intentions for further action through Action 4.6.