Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. - Application dated 27 September 2024 to raise the restricted operating pressure for the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline, to remove the pipeline from Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, and to vary Order OPLO-T002-11-2004

Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. - Application dated 27 September 2024 to raise the restricted operating pressure for the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline, to remove the pipeline from Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, and to vary Order OPLO-T002-11-2004 [PDF 488 KB]

File 4668651
15 August 2025

Gail Sharko
Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc.
109-5305 McCall Way NE
Calgary, AB   T2E 7N7

Dear Gail Sharko:

On 27 September 2024, the Canada Energy Regulator received an application from Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. (TNPI), requesting the following relief (Application):

• for all sections of the nominal pipe size (NPS) 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline (Pipeline) except the Post Road to Farran’s Point section, raise the restricted maximum operating pressure (MOP) to the authorized MOP of 8 274 kPa indicated in Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010;
• for the Post Road to Farran’s Point section of the Pipeline, raise the restricted MOP to the requested MOP of 8 073 kPa, due to a class location change;
• vary Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 to remove the Pipeline from Schedule A;
• vary Order OPLO-T002-11-2004 to change the MOP to 8 073 kPa; and
• grant such further and other relief as TNPI may request and the Commission may consider appropriate.

TNPI requested this relief pursuant to Condition 4.f of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, and section 69 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act (CER Act).

The Commission notes that Orders OPLO-T002-7-2004, OPLO-T002-08-2004, OPLO-T002-09-2004, OPLO-T002-10-2004, OPLO-T002-11-2004, and OPLO-T002-02-2005 (the Orders) approve an MOP of 9 928 kPa for the various sections of the Pipeline. However, the more recent Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 identifies a lower authorized MOP of 8 274 kPa for the entirety of the Pipeline. Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 also restricts the MOP for the Pipeline to the “[lower of 90% of MOP or 10% below the highest pressure reached within last 90 days].”

For the reasons set out below, the Commission approves TNPI’s application and also varies each of the Orders, in addition to Order OPLO-T002-11-2004, to change the MOP.

Application to raise the restricted MOP for the Pipeline, pursuant to Condition 4.f of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010

The Commission approves TNPI’s request to increase the restricted MOP for all sections of the Pipeline, as set out in the Application, on the basis that TNPI has met the requirements of Condition 4.f of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010.

Condition 4.f states:^{Footnote 1}

• f.   TNPI shall, at least 45 days before it would like any increases to the restricted MOP of any pipeline or section of the pipeline to take effect, file a request for approval to increase the restricted MOP, with information that includes, but is not limited to:
  • Information demonstrating that TNPI has implemented Conditions 4.a to 4.e of this Order;
  • Evidence that, as a result of lifting the pressure restriction, the integrity condition on the pipeline or section of pipeline will not be negatively affected within 36 months after the date of the return to service application;
  • An Engineering Assessment prepared in accordance with CSA Z662:15 Clause 10.1 that demonstrates that the pipeline or section of pipeline is safe to operate at its maximum operating pressure. The Engineering Assessment must include, but not be limited to, the following items:
    1. A Risk Assessment guided by CSA Z662 Annex B including guidelines for documented reporting by CSA Z662 Annex B Clause B.6;
    2. An imperfection assessment including, but not be limited to, pressure cycling, tool validation (Probability of Detection, Probability of Identification, and Sizing Accuracy), representative material properties, defect interaction, time-to-failure calculations, Safety Factor targets, revised defect growth rates and Probability of Exceedance; and
    3. Required mitigative, preventive and monitoring measures.
    4. A schedule for implementation of all mitigation, preventive and monitoring programs identified in Condition 4.f.iii.3.

With respect to Condition 4.f.i, the Commission finds that TNPI provided sufficient information to demonstrate that it has implemented Conditions 4.a to 4.e of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 as they pertain to the Pipeline. TNPI provided a summary of the documentation that it submitted prior to this Application to meet the requirements of Conditions 4.a to 4.e, which the Commission or its predecessor, the National Energy Board, considered and, where appropriate, approved.

With respect to Condition 4.f.ii, TNPI submitted that the engineering assessment it provided to meet the Condition 4.f.iii requirements also provides evidence to meet the requirements of Condition 4.f.ii. TNPI explained that the engineering assessment was prepared in accordance with the newest edition of CSA Z662:23 Clause 10.1 and concludes that the integrity condition of the Pipeline will not be negatively affected within 36 months of the date of TNPI’s Application. Based on this conclusion in the engineering assessment, the Commission finds that TNPI has met the requirements of Condition 4.f.ii.

With respect to Condition 4.f.iii, the Commission is satisfied that the engineering assessment includes all of the required information and demonstrates that the Pipeline is safe to operate at an MOP of 8 274 kPa. The Commission notes TNPI’s submission that, for the Post Road to Farran’s Point section of the Pipeline, although the engineering assessment demonstrates that this section is safe to operate at an MOP of 8 274 kPa, TNPI is requesting to raise the restricted MOP to a lower MOP of 8 073 kPa. The Commission is satisfied that, because the requested MOP for this section of the Pipeline is lower than the MOP at which the engineering assessment found it is safe to operate, that it is also safe to operate at the lower requested MOP of 8 073 kPa.

Application under section 69 of the CER Act to vary Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 to remove the Pipeline from Schedule A

The Commission grants TNPI’s request to remove the Pipeline from Schedule A of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, on the basis that the circumstances of the Pipeline have changed since the issuance of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, and the new circumstances support the removal of the Pipeline from the Order.

Subsection 69(1) of the CER Act provides that the Commission may review, vary, or rescind any decision or order it makes. There is no automatic right of review. Rather, the Commission has a discretionary power to review its decisions, which it must exercise sparingly and with caution.^Footnote 2 The Commission considers applications for review through a two-step process.^Footnote 3 In step 1, the Commission considers whether the applicant has raised a doubt as to the correctness of the decision. The Commission will consider any ground that raises a doubt, including changed circumstances or new facts that have arisen since the close of the original proceeding. If the Commission finds that the applicant has met step 1, then it will proceed to step 2 and determine whether the decision should be confirmed, amended, or overturned.

When Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 was issued on 20 September 2016 to address safety concerns related to a number of TNPI’s pipelines, including the Pipeline, the Order required TNPI to “restrict the operating pressure to the lower of 90% of the authorized MOP… or 10% below the highest pressure reached within the 90 day period prior to the issuance of [the] Order.” The order identified the “authorized MOP” for the pipeline as 8 274 kPa. As explained above, the Commission has approved TNPI’s request to increase the restricted MOP for all sections of the Pipeline, as set out in the Application, on the basis that TNPI met the requirements of Condition 4.f of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010. As a result, the Commission finds that the safety concerns that resulted in including the Pipeline in Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 have been resolved by TNPI. Accordingly, the Commission finds that it is no longer necessary to include the Pipeline in Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010.

The Commission finds that TNPI would be prejudiced if the Commission were to not vary Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 to remove the Pipeline from Schedule A, because TNPI would continue to be required to operate the Pipeline at “the lower of 90% of the authorized MOP…or 10% below the highest pressure reached within the last 90 day period prior to the issuance of [the] order,” despite the Commission finding that it is safe to operate the Pipeline at the higher MOPs approved earlier in this decision.

Accordingly, the Commission issues Order AO-013-SO-T217-03-2010 to vary Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 to remove the Pipeline from Schedule A.

Variance of the Orders under section 69 of the CER Act to change the MOPs

The Commission has decided to vary the Orders to change the MOP for all sections of the Pipeline.

The Commission finds that the engineering assessment submitted with the Application provides new facts that raise a doubt about the correctness of the MOP in each of the Orders. Specifically, the engineering assessment demonstrates that the Pipeline is safe to operate at an MOP of 8 274 kPa, which is less than the MOP of 9 928 kPa in each of the Orders. For the Post Road Transition to Farran’s Point section of the Pipeline, changed circumstances have also arisen that further raise a doubt about the correctness of Order OPLO-T002-11-2004. Specifically, TNPI explained that the class location for this section of the Pipeline has changed from class 2 to class 3, due to the construction of new dwellings along the pipeline right-of-way, and the lower MOP of 8 073 kPa meets the requirements of CSA Z662:23 Oil and gas pipeline systems for the class location change. Based on these new facts and changed circumstances, the Commission finds that it is appropriate to vary the Orders to reflect the MOPs at which TNPI has demonstrated it is safe to operate the various sections of the Pipeline.

Accordingly, the Commission issues the following orders to vary the Orders, as follows:

• AO-001-OPLO-T002-7-2004, to change the MOP from 9 928 kPa to 8 274 kPa;
• AO-001-OPLO-T002-08-2004, to change the MOP from 9 928 kPa to 8 274 kPa;
• AO-001-OPLO-T002-09-2004, to change the MOP from 9 928 kPa to 8 274 kPa;
• AO-001-OPLO-T002-10-2004, to change the MOP from 9 928 kPa to 8 274 kPa;
• AO-001-OPLO-T002-11-2004, to change the MOP from 9 928 kPa to 8 073 kPa;
• AO-001-OPLO-T002-02-2005, to change the MOP from 9 928 kPa to 8 274 kPa.

Yours sincerely,

S. Wong for

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

Attachments:
Order AO-001-OPLO-T002-11-2004
Order AO-013-SO-T217-03-2010
Order AO-001-OPLO-T002-7-2004
Order AO-001-OPLO-T002-08-2004
Order AO-001-OPLO-T002-09-2004
Order AO-001-OPLO-T002-10-2004
Order AO-001-OPLO-T002-02-2005

c.c. Jane Keast, TNPI

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 15 August 2025.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 14 October 2004, the National Energy Board issued Order OPLO-T002-11-2004;

AND WHEREAS Order OPLO-T002-11-2004 approves a maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 9 928 kPa for the nominal pipe size (NPS) 16 Post Road Transition to Farran’s Point Pump Station pipeline section;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 27 September 2024, to, among other things, vary Order OPLO-T002-11-2004 to change the MOP for the NPS 16 Post Road Transition to Farran’s Point Pump Station pipeline section to 8 073 kPa, under section 69 of the CER Act;

AND WHEREAS on 15 August 2025, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order OPLO-T002-11-2004 is varied to change the MOP for the NPS 16 Post Road Transition to Farran’s Point Pump Station pipeline section to 8 073 kPa.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

S. Wong for

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 15 August 2025.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 20 September 2016, the Commission’s predecessor, the National Energy Board, issued a Letter Decision and Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, which it varied on 24 October 2016 and 11 April 2017, and the Commission further varied on 17 July 2020, 8 June 2022, 6 September 2022, 1 November 2022, 30 November 2022, 5 September 2023, 11 March 2024, 9 September 2024, and 10 June 2025;

AND WHEREAS Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 imposes certain requirements on TNPI in relation to the safe operation of the nominal pipe size (NPS) 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 27 September 2024, to:

• under Condition 4.f of Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, increase the maximum operating pressure (MOP) for the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline to 8 274 kPa, except for the Post Road to Farran’s Point section, for which TNPI requested an MOP of 8 073 kPa;
• under section 69 of the CER Act, vary Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010 to remove this pipeline from Schedule A; and
• under section 69 of the CER Act, vary Order OPLO-T002-11-2004 to change the MOP to 8 073 kPa.

AND WHEREAS on 15 August 2025, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief and also included reasons for its decision to vary the following Orders associated with the pipeline: OPLO-T002-7-2004, OPLO-T002-08-2004, OPLO-T002-09-2004, OPLO-T002-10-2004, and OPLO-T002-02-2005;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010, as amended, is varied by deleting Line 3 in Schedule A to remove the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline. The varied Schedule A is attached to this order.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

S. Wong for

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

SCHEDULE A

Order AO-013-SO-T217-03-2010
Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc.
Variation to Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010

Schedule A – Pressure Reduction to the lower of 90% of Authorized MOP or 10% below the highest pressure reached within 90 days prior to the issuance of this Order.

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 15 August 2025.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 4 October 2004, the National Energy Board issued Order OPLO-T002-7-2004;

AND WHEREAS Order OPLO-T002-7-2004 approves a maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 9 928 kPa for the nominal pipe size (NPS) 16 pipeline section from Lot 207, St. Clet, to Super Plage Le Sablon, Lot 102, St. Telesphore, Quebec (Lot 207 to Lot 102 pipeline section);

AND WHEREAS the Lot 207 to Lot 102 pipeline section forms part of the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 27 September 2024, to, among other things, raise the restricted MOP for all sections of the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline (except the Post Road to Farran’s Point section) to 8 274 kPa;

AND WHEREAS on 15 August 2025, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief and also included reasons to vary additional orders associated with the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline, including Order OPLO-T002-7-2004;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order OPLO-T002-7-2004 is varied to change the MOP for the Lot 207 to Lot 102 pipeline section to 8 274 kPa.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

S. Wong for

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 15 August 2025.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 13 October 2004, the National Energy Board issued Order OPLO-T002-08-2004;

AND WHEREAS Order OPLO-T002-08-2004 approves a maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 9 928 kPa for the nominal pipe size (NPS) 16 pipeline section from Lot 1 462 497, Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, to Lot 2 128 698, Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, Quebec (Lot 1 462 497 to Lot 2 128 698 pipeline section), and Sainte-Marthe transition pig station (pig station);

AND WHEREAS the Lot 1 462 497 to Lot 2 128 698 pipeline section and pig station form part of the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 27 September 2024, to, among other things, raise the restricted MOP for all sections of the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline (except the Post Road to Farran’s Point section) to 8 274 kPa;

AND WHEREAS on 15 August 2025, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief and also included reasons to vary additional orders associated with the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline, including Order OPLO-T002-08-2004;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order OPLO-T002-08-2004 is varied to change the MOP for the Lot 1 462 497 to Lot 2 128 698 pipeline section and pig station to 8 274 kPa.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

S. Wong for

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 15 August 2025.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 14 October 2004, the National Energy Board issued Order OPLO-T002-09-2004;

AND WHEREAS Order OPLO-T002-09-2004 approves a maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 9 928 kPa for the nominal pipe size (NPS) 16 pipeline section from Lot 102, St. Telesphore, Quebec, to Lancaster Pump Station, Lot 38, Lancaster, Ontario, including the Riviere Delisle block and check valve assemblies, the St. Clet Transition pig station, and the Lancaster Pumping station mainline piping and valves (St. Telesphore to Lancaster Pump Station pipeline section);

AND WHEREAS the St. Telesphore to Lancaster Pump Station pipeline section forms part of the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 27 September 2024, to, among other things, raise the restricted MOP for all sections of the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline (except the Post Road to Farran’s Point section) to 8 274 kPa;

AND WHEREAS on 15 August 2025, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief and also included reasons to vary additional orders associated with the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline, including Order OPLO-T002-09-2004;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order OPLO-T002-09-2004 is varied to change the MOP for the St. Telesphore to Lancaster Pump Station pipeline section to 8 274 kPa.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

S. Wong for

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 15 August 2025.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 14 October 2004, the National Energy Board issued Order OPLO-T002-10-2004;

AND WHEREAS Order OPLO-T002-10-2004 approves a maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 9 928 kPa for the nominal pipe size (NPS) 16 pipeline section from Lancaster Pump Station, Lot 38, Lancaster, Ontario, to Purcell Road Transition, Lot 9, Township of South Glengarry, Ontario, including the Raisin River block and check valves and the Purcell Road Transition pig station (pipeline section from Lancaster Pump Station to Purcell Road Transition);

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 27 September 2024, to, among other things, for all sections of the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline except the Post Road to Farran’s Point section, raise the restricted MOP to the authorized MOP of 8 274 kPa indicated in Order AO-001-SO-T217-03-2010;

AND WHEREAS on 15 August 2025, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order OPLO-T002-10-2004 is varied to change the MOP for the pipeline section from Lancaster Pump Station Purcell Road Transition to 8 274 kPa.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

S. Wong for

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

BEFORE the Commission of the CER on 15 August 2025.

WHEREAS the CER regulates the construction and operation of the TNPI pipeline system;

AND WHEREAS on 23 February 2005, the National Energy Board issued Order OPLO-T002-02-2005;

AND WHEREAS Order OPLO-T002-02-2005 approves a maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 9 928 kPa for the nominal pipe size (NPS) 16 pipeline section from the location of the temporary tie-over, Lot 2 128 698, Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, Quebec, to the Oka Transition, Lot 147, Parc d’Oka, Quebec, including the Oka Park Transition pig station (Oka Park pipeline section);

AND WHEREAS the Oka Park pipeline section forms part of the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline;

AND WHEREAS the Commission received an application from TNPI, dated 27 September 2024, to, among other things, raise the restricted MOP for all sections of the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline (except the Post Road to Farran’s Point section) to 8 274 kPa;

AND WHEREAS on 15 August 2025, the Commission issued its reasons for granting TNPI’s requested relief and also included reasons to vary additional orders associated with the NPS 16 Ste Marthe Transition to Farran’s Point Loops pipeline, including Order OPLO-T002-02-2005;

IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the CER Act, Order OPLO-T002-02-2005 is varied to change the MOP for the Oka Park pipeline section to 8 274 kPa.

THE COMMISSION OF THE CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR

S. Wong for

Ramona Sladic
Secretary of the Commission

Date modified:

2025-09-18