CSA Updates Oil & Gas Pipelines National Standard
The Canadian Standards Association has released its Z662-11 standard, the sixth edition, which includes a revised "Guidelines for Pipeline System Integrity Management Programs" annex.
A final decision to approve construction of TransCanada Corp.'s Keystone XL crude oil pipeline could be made later this year, following a U.S. State Department Final Environmental Impact Statement announced on Aug. 26 that reaffirmed the pipeline's environmental impact is expected to be limited. The pipeline would move crude from oil sands in Alberta, Canada, down to Houston, and TransCanada hopes to begin building it in 2012.
This makes the Canadian Standards Association's new sixth edition of CSA Z662, Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems (which can be purchased from CSA here), especially timely. The Z662-11 standard includes a new clause covering safety/loss management systems, integrity management programs, and engineering assessments, including a revised "Guidelines for Pipeline System Integrity Management Programs" annex. Its guidelines for controlling internal corrosion have been revised to highlight documentation and tests needed to demonstrate that a substance is not corrosive, and there is added focus on preventing uncontrolled fires, which can be a risk during pipeline installation, according to CSA.
Z662 is a national standard of Canada and is incorporated by reference in federal and provincial pipeline safety legislation. In many of those jurisdictions, the new edition of the standard comes into force immediately upon publication, according to CSA, which offers a package including the standard and corresponding updated (fourth edition) Special Publication CSA Z662.1-11, Commentary on CSA Z662-11, Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems. The Commentary provides background information concerning certain clauses and requirements in the standard to help users understand and implement the requirements.