Saskatchewan modernizes pipeline regulations

The Government of Saskatchewan is modernizing and strengthening its regulatory oversight of oil and gas pipeline infrastructure in the province, with the proclamation of the Pipelines Amendment Act, 2019 (the Act).

“This is the culmination of several years work and delivers on our promise, made in 2017, to ensure that Saskatchewan citizens and our environment are protected to the highest standard,” Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre said in a January 23 press release. “The introduction of substantial enhancements to our pipeline licensing system will also provide more efficiency and regulatory certainty for our oil and gas sector.”

In recent years, the province has enhanced regulatory systems to monitor and review pipeline construction and operations, with more stringent inspection, investigation, penalty and audit powers.

The new Act and regulations will expand regulatory oversight to include retroactive licensing of approximately 80,000 flowlines across the province over the next four years and more stringent scrutiny of applications at higher-risk locations, such as waterways. With these changes, the Ministry of Energy and Resources has fully addressed all outstanding issues raised by the Provincial Auditor regarding the integrity and safety of pipelines in Saskatchewan.

This is the first system of its kind in Canada to adopt an entirely electronic registry of pipeline licensing and administration. The Act establishes a new module in the Integrated Resource Information System (IRIS) for an Online license registry, similar to the Saskatchewan Land Titles Registry, which will issue and administer licenses for the oil, gas and mining sectors.

“In developing the pipeline regulatory framework, the Government of Saskatchewan worked to ensure both regulatory efficiency and predictability for operators,” Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) Vice-president of Western Canada Operations, Brad Herald said. “The new pipeline module, with its Online licensing registry, highlights the province’s commitment to monitoring and upholding the highest standards of safety for the public and the environment; standards that are also continuing priorities for industry.”