Compliance verification activity type: Field Inspection
Team:
Regulated company: Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Management Ltd.
Operating company: Westcoast Energy Inc., carrying on business as Spectra Energy Transmission
Province(s) / Territory(s):
Discipline(s):
Related events:
Rationale and scope:
Inspection of Meter Stations between Fredericton, NB & New Glasgow, NS; in support of 1617 Audit 1617-419. Audit contractor to participate.
Compliance tool(s) used:
Facilities:
Facility Types
Regulatory requirements that apply to this activity:
Observation 1 - Fredericton Pressure Reducing Station
Date & time of visit: 2016-11-16 13:15
Discipline: Integrity Management
Categories:
Facility:
Observations:
The meter station brings natural gas from a pressure of 1440 psi (9928 kPa) to 150 psi (1034 kPa) to feed the local distribution system.
The meter station is fenced and has two egress gates with panic hardware in addition to the main gate.
The above ground piping coating was in good condition. The piping had proper supports and was labelled with product name and arrows for direction of gas flow.
The isolation valves upstream of relief valves were locked in the opened position. All relief valves were installed with a rain cap to prevent water to penetrate and cause damage due to corrosion and freezing temperatures.
There is a boiler building on site that is used to heat glycol that in turn heats the natural gas delivered to the local distribution system prior to pressure reduction. The heat exchanger is equipped with a rupture disk to prevent the natural gas from over-pressuring the glycol system. In the event of rupture disk failure, the glycol would be released and captured in an overflow tank, with the natural gas being vented out through a vent on the top of the tank.
Some of the piping is insulated and the company indicated that they have a program to monitor corrosion under insulation (every 3 years).
Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used
There are no observations with outstanding follow-up
Observation 2 - Fredericton Pressure Reducing Station
It was observed that the flange connection for the PSV protecting the lower pressure system was missing a stud and two bolts. This is a non-compliance to CSA Z662-15 clause 5.2.7.1. This was addressed prior to the completion of this report.
Compliance tool used: Corrected Non-compliance (CNC)
Regulatory requirement:
Relevant section(s):
5.2 Steel materials and gaskets
5.2.7.1 After make-up, bolts and studs shall extend a minimum of two full threads beyond the face of the associated nuts and be reasonably consistent throughout the connection. Dimensions for bolting (bolts, studs, and nuts) shall be as specified in ASME B16.5. Bolts and studs shall be as specified in ASTM A193/A193M, ASTM A320/A320M, or ASTM A354, except that ASTM A307 Grade B bolts and studs may be used for PN20 and PN50 flanges at temperatures between –30 and +230 °C.
Company action required:
Company to install a stud with bolts in accordance to CSA Z662-15 clause 5.2.7.1.
Due date: 2016-11-18
Date closed: 2016-11-18 Note: the date closed is the date that the inspector completed their review of the company corrective actions for adequacy and determined that no further actions are required.
Reason closed: Requirement met
Compliance achieved: Yes
Observation 3 - Heritage Pictou Metering Station
Date & time of visit: 2016-11-17 12:45
The meter station brings natural gas to a local gas distribution company. The MOP for the station is 1440 psi (9928 kPa).
The meter station is fenced and has one egress gate with panic hardware in addition to the main gate.
The station has a separator equipped with a filter. The separator is opened annually to perform a visual inspection of the inside. The company stated that liquid has never been found to accumulate in the separator. The separator is equipped with a Pressure Safety Valve (PSV). The company indicated that that PSVs are tested once a year. The isolation valve upstream of relief valve was locked in the open position. The relief valve was installed with a rain cap to prevent water to penetrate and cause damage due to corrosion and freezing temperatures.
The station has a chromatograph located in a small building. The building has gas detection and is monitored for low temperature.
Observation 4 - Fredericton Pressure Reducing Station - Inspection of Filter Vessel
The station has a separator equipped with a filter. The separator is opened annually to perform a visual inspection of the inside. The company stated that liquid has never been found to accumulate in the separator. The separator is equipped with a Pressure Safety Valve (PSV). The company indicated that provincial inspectors inspect this filter vessel annually and that PSVs are tested once a year.
Compliance tool used: Notice of Non-compliance (NNC)
Company to answer the following information request:
Information Request #1Please confirm that M&NP uses API 510 certified inspectors for the internal inspections of its pressure vessels, as required by API 510 clause 5.5.2.1 (and the definition of inspector in API 510 clause 3.1.36), including for the internal inspection of the filter vessels observed at the Fredericton and Pictou meter stations
Notice of Non-Compliance
Due date: 2017-06-30
Date closed: 2017-07-27 Note: the date closed is the date that the inspector completed their review of the company corrective actions for adequacy and determined that no further actions are required.
Identified non-compliances to company plans or procedures are non-compliances either to:
- the condition of an authorization document that requires the implementation of that plan or procedure; or
- the relevant section of the regulations that requires implementation of that plan or procedure including those sections that require implementation of plans or procedures as a part of a Program
Observation 5 - Information caviardée conformément au paragraphe 144(5) du Code canadien du travail
This information has been redacted pursuant to Section 144(5) of the Canada Labour Code
Observation 6 - Information caviardée conformément au paragraphe 144(5) du Code canadien du travail