Decision 2013-09
https://had.aer.ca/link/decision4506
- Applicant
- Shell Canada Ltd.
- Application Number
- 1726204
- 1726205
- 1727102
- Title
- Decision 2013-09 : Shell Canada Ltd. applications for pipeline facility licences Waterton field
- Date
- 2013
- Title
- Decision 2013-09 : Shell Canada Ltd. applications for pipeline facility licences Waterton field
- Date
- 2013
- Applicant
- Shell Canada Ltd.
- Application Number
- 1726204
- 1726205
- 1727102
- Hearing Panel
- Watson TL
- Bolton A
- Gilmour J
- Hearing Type
- Board
- Category
- Pipelines
- Descriptors
- Environment
- Well licence
- Natural gas
- pipeline
- Beaver Mines
- Hydrogen sulphide
- Pincher Creek
- Compressor
- Emergency response
- Waterton field
- Legal References
- Pipeline Act S4
- Oil and Gas Conservation Regulations S7
- Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms S7
- Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms S1
- Environmental Assessment Act
- Alberta Land Stewardship Act
- ERCB Rules of Practice S13
- Notes
- Change to legal citation effective January 2011
- Decision 2011-007
- CSA Z662: Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems
- Directive 071
- Directive 077
- Interveners
- BS Gilmour
- DA McGillivray
- M Judd
- M Sawyer
- C Duncan
- Approval
- Approved with conditions
- Conditions
- Conditions of Approval 1) The Board believes it is imperative for Shell to continue to improve its understanding of corrosion in both lined and bare pipelines. The Board requires Shell to continue to conduct internal inspection of the Carbondale pipeline system once every six months using the Russell tool. In the event that Shell can demonstrate that corrosion remains under control it may, following consultation with WAG, apply to the ERCB to reduce the inspection frequency. 2) The Board directs Shell to submit a revised ERP before the start-up of the pipelines and facility. 3) The Board requires Shell to conduct a blind major exercise in accordance with Directive 071, section 14.10 – Exercise Requirements, before the pipelines become operational. This exercise must involve a pipeline release scenario and must test the use of shelter-in-place as a means of protecting residents in the area. Area residents should be contacted and asked to shelter so that Shell can test their knowledge of how to shelter-in-place. The exercise should be designed and developed by an independent consultant in consultation with a limited number of senior Shell personnel who would not have a role in responding, as well as with ERCB staff. Shell’s operations staff, mutual aid partners, and other responders that Shell would rely on to respond to an actual incident should not have any prior knowledge of the specific timing or scenario of the exercise to help ensure that it is as much of a realistic simulation as possible. Shell can provide general advance notice to these parties of its intent to conduct a major exercise within a general time frame so that it can obtain a commitment from the parties regarding their intended level of participation in the exercise. In accordance with Directive 071, section 14.10 – Exercise Requirements, Shell is expected to invite the MD of Pincher Creek, Alberta Health Services, and any other government departments or agencies that would have a role in an actual emergency and strongly encourage their participation in this exercise. 4) The Board directs Shell to implement the nine recommendations outlined in the RWDI report before producing the WT68 well with the following exception. During the hearing, the Board heard that Shell plans to phase-in the fence line monitors identified in recommendation number three in order to allow Shell to properly assess the chosen technology. The Board agrees that this is reasonable and accepts Shell’s plan to phase-in the fence-line monitors. However, the Board directs Shell to install the first perimeter H2S monitor at WT68 before producing the WT68 well. The other perimeter H2S monitors can be installed after the start of production and testing of the perimeter system. Shell stated that it will continue to provide updates to WAG on the progress it makes on the recommendations from the RWDI report. The Board expects these updates to be provided regularly and that Shell will continue its involvement with the Air Monitoring Technical Subcommittee. Commitments by Shell 1) Shell will conduct a tabletop or field exercise and invite third-party responders to participate. 2) Shell will pay to conduct an air exchange rate test on Mr. Judd’s residence and assess the suitability for sheltering-in-place. 3) Shell will continue to welcome further discussion with Mr. Judd about the recommendations in the RWDI report and the participation of Mr. Judd in the siting of the proposed air quality monitoring and meteorological station should he contact Shell and discuss a willingness to participate. 4) Shell will contact Mr. Judd for an ERP update and include Mr. Judd’s tent camp in the ERP. 5) Shell is willing to meet with Mr. Judd outside the hearing process to discuss concern about the horses that he noted he had lost in 2007. 6) Shell will review the integrity reference plan for the Waterton 68 pipeline with the Pipeline Technical Subcommittee at the next technical committee meeting.
- Location
- 10-01-006-03W5
- 06-12-006-03W5