Gas utility pipeline reports

The AUC's review of gas utility pipeline integrity management reports and emergency response plan manuals

Integrity and emergency response procedural manuals

The AUC reviews all relevant procedure manuals for the gas utility pipeline companies it regulates to ensure they have appropriate documentation of procedures, to monitor pipeline integrity, and to respond to a potential emergency incident. This examination assists in the AUC’s role in the natural gas industry to ensure safe and reliable pipeline facilities in Alberta while considering economic, social and environmental effects of transmission and distribution development.

The AUC requires Apex Utilities Inc. (formerly AltaGas Utilities Inc.) and ATCO Pipelines, under the authority of the Pipeline Regulation, to file copies of their manuals relating to pipeline integrity management and emergency response plans. The AUC engages an independent consultant to review the content of the manuals against the criteria established in the relevant standards and legislation.

The AUC reviews pipeline integrity management and emergency response procedural manuals on a five-year basis. The AUC last received updated pipeline integrity management and emergency response manuals from ATCO Pipelines and Apex Utilities on September 16, 2020.

Apex Utilities Inc. has committed to refine its safety and loss management procedures by December 15, 2022. ATCO Pipelines has committed to update its procedures by June 30, 2024.

 

Apex Utilities Inc. ATCO Pipelines
AUC letter to Apex Utilities Inc. (September 16, 2020) AUC letter to ATCO Pipelines (September 16, 2020)
Apex Utilities Inc. letter (November 5, 2019) ATCO letter (October 31, 2019)
Consultant review of Apex Utilities Inc. submissions (March 22, 2019) Consultant review of ATCO Pipelines’ submissions (March 22, 2019)
AUC letter to ATCO and AltaGas (September 20, 2018)

 

AUC review of risk identification, integrity inspections, overpressure protection and pipeline water crossings

The AUC requests reporting from ATCO Pipelines and Apex Utilities Inc. with respect to risk identification, integrity inspections, overpressure protection and pipeline water crossings. These reports are updated on an ad hoc basis.

Apex Utilities Inc. ATCO Pipelines
AltaGas letter to AUC (December 1, 2015) ATCO Pipelines letter to AUC (December 22, 2015)
AUC letter to AltaGas (February 12, 2015) AUC letter to ATCO Pipelines (February 12, 2015)
AltaGas letter to AUC (November 28, 2014) ATCO Pipelines letter to AUC and attachment (November 28, 2014)
​AUC letter to AltaGas (September 29, 2014) AUC letter to ATCO Pipelines (September 29, 2014)

AUC review of potential substandard pipeline materials and design

The AUC ensures that ATCO Pipelines and Apex Utilities Inc. assess and report their quality management, procurement, installation and design procedures for high pressure gas utility pipelines to ensure that potentially substandard pipeline materials have not been installed and would not be installed in the future.

These reports are updated on an ad hoc basis.

Apex Utilities Inc. ATCO Pipelines
​AltaGas letter to AUC (June 28, 2016) ATCO Pipelines letter to AUC (June 28, 2016)
AUC letter to AltaGas and ATCO Pipelines (March 3, 2016) ​

AUC review of ATCO Pipelines radiographic weld inspections

The AUC ensures that ATCO Pipelines investigates potential shortcomings associated with radiographic inspections for prefabricated piping assemblies conducted by outside contractors. The investigation scope includes review of both the quality of the radiographic films as well as the quality of the welds.

ATCO Pipelines
ATCO letter to the AUC with quarterly updates to December 31, 2021 (January 13, 2022)
​ATCO letter to the AUC with quarterly updates to December 2016 (March 7, 2017)
ATCO letter to AUC including attachment 1, attachment 2 and attachment 3 (October 25, 2016)
AUC letter to ATCO (September 29, 2016)
​ATCO letter including attachment 1 and attachment 2 to AUC (July 18, 2016)
​AUC letter to ATCO requesting further information (June 27, 2016)
​ATCO letter and attachment to AUC (May 31, 2016)
AUC letter to ATCO requesting information (May 13, 2016)
​AUC letter to AER regarding lead investigative role (May 13, 2016)
​Voluntary self-disclosure letter from ATCO to the AUC and AER (May 3, 2016)

The AUC will continue activities to ensure the ongoing safety of the pipeline systems it oversees.

For further information or clarification, contact Danielle Glover at Danielle.Glover@auc.ab.ca or 403-592-4421​.