CALGARY, May 13 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB) is partnering
with pipeline regulators in B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba to deliver
workshops on pipeline integrity management programs and pipeline pigging.
"All regulators in western Canada are committed to working with the
pipeline industry to ensure integrity management programs are working for the
safety and benefit of those involved," says NEB Chair Gaétan Caron. "Through
these workshops, we'll be able to share best practices, strenghten integrity
management programs, and avoid regulatory overlap."
Provincial and federal governments, as well as several industry
representatives, expressed the need for a more efficient regulatory system
that reduces the amount of overlap and duplication between regulators. The
National Energy Board (NEB), B.C. Oil and Gas Commission (OGC), Saskatchewan
Ministry of Energy & Resources (ER) and the Manitoba Public Utilities Board
(MPUB) are taking steps towards achieving this through the development of the
workshops.
The goal of the integrity workshops is to discuss the current state of
the industry, outline the elements of an effective integrity management plan,
discuss regulatory requirements and have an open forum about industry best
practices. The pigging forum will allow participants to share best practices
on existing pipeline inspections that use pigging, as well as guidelines for
making further improvements to effective pigging programs. Pipeline pigging
refers to the practice of using pipeline cleaning and inspection devices
called "pigs" to perform various operations on a pipeline.
Workshops will be held in Fort St. John, Victoria, Lloydminster, Calgary,
Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Grand Prairie, Bonnyville and Estevan to educate
and engage the public. The workshops were developed in response to industry
requests across western and central Canada.
The sessions are open to all interested parties, but attendance will be
capped at 75 participants per session. Please visit: www.neb-one.gc.ca and
click on "Safety" then "Pipeline Integrity Workshops and Pigging Forum -
register online" to register.Workshop locations and information
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Location Date Time Venue
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Fort St. John, BC May 21-22 8:00 a.m. Super 8 Hotel - 9500
- 4:30 p.m. Alaska Road
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Victoria, BC May 28-29 8:00 a.m. Traveller's Vacation Inn
- 4:30 p.m. Hotel & Conference Centre -
3020 Douglas Street
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Winnipeg, MB June 24-25 8:00 a.m. Hearing Room (4th floor),
- 4:30 p.m. MPUB office - 330 Portage
Ave
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Other workshops will be held in Lloydminster, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina,
Grand Prairie, Bonnyville and Estevan in the Fall. Registration for those
workshops will open in July.
The NEB is an independent federal agency that regulates several parts of
Canada's energy industry. Its purpose is to promote safety and security,
environmental protection, and efficient energy infrastructure and markets in
the Canadian public interest, within the mandate set by Parliament in the
regulation of pipelines, energy development and trade.
For further information: Lauren Hopkins, (lauren.hopkins@neb-one.gc.ca),
Communications Officer, National Energy Board, Telephone: (403) 299-3712; Lee
Shanks, (lee.shanks@gov.bc.ca), Manager, External Relations and
Communications, B.C. Oil and Gas Commission, Telephone: (250) 261-2097; Bob
Ellis, (rellis@ir.gov.sk.ca), Director, Public Affairs, Saskatchewan Ministry
of Energy and Resources, Telephone: (306) 787-1691; Gerry Barron,
(Gerald.barron@gov.mb.ca), Associate Secretary, Manitoba Public Utilities
Board, Telephone: (204) 945-2639
