Regulations of Pipelines in Canada

This paper provides an overview of the regulatory framework for pipelines in Canada. Canada is an oil and gas producing, consuming and exporting country. To accomplish these functions, the production, transmission and distribution companies operate about 700,000 km (440,000 miles) of pipelines. These companies and their pipelines are regulated by federal, provincial or territorial regulatory agencies. Provincial or territorial agencies regulate those pipelines that are fully contained within the province or territory. The federal regulatory agency (the National Energy Board) regulates all those pipelines that cross provincial or international borders. Most of the powers of regulatory agencies emanate from pipeline acts. Under these acts, the regulatory agencies may make regulations which may be approved by their governments. Regulations provide for public safety and environmental protection for the design, construction, operation, repair, maintenance and abandonment of pipelines.