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SAFETY
 OVERVIEW |
Safety is Our Priority
The Oil and Gas Commission’s Compliance and Enforcement Branch has a
vital duty to ensure safety in oil and gas exploration, development, and
pipelines. The Branch monitors compliance with provincial and federal health,
safety and environmental regulations, and the special conditions imposed on
each permit.
The industry is responsible for the safe conduct of operations and the
prevention of uncontrolled releases of fluids into the environment.
Safety and Integrity of Pipelines
The OGC regulates more than 30,000 kilometres of provincial pipelines.
Companies are required to have an Integrity Management Plan (IMP). An IMP is a
system to identify and assess activities that prevent or reduce the likelihood
of incidents, as well as activities that mitigate consequences of incidents,
should they occur.
Role of the company
Companies operating in BC are responsible for maintaining and operating their
pipelines in a safe and reliable manner. Companies are required to maintain an
Integrity Management Plan specific to their pipelines and facilities. In
particular, a company is responsible for:
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Maintaining integrity and managing risks associated with pipeline systems and
facility operations;
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Activities for informing and educating communities, government agencies, and
first responders in the event of an incident; and
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Activities critical to incident investigations and/or notifications.
Role of the Commission
OGC’s Pipeline Integrity Program ensures protection of the public and the
environment by demonstrating that all pipelines operated by industry are
suitable for continued safe and reliable service.
Emergency response and safety inspection is an integral component of the
Pipeline and Safety Engineering group of the Compliance and Enforcement Branch.
The Emergency Response and Safety Inspector is responsible for evaluating and
approving a company’s emergency preparedness plans for sweet or sour
facilities, pipelines and processing plants.
An oil and gas company operating in BC is required to submit an Emergency
Response Plan (ERP) to the Pipelines and Facilities Group of the OGC.
ERP’s include items such as:
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Maps showing dwellings, public structures, roads, and railways;
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Company contact information, identifying roles and responsibilities;
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Event responder safety; and
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Employee emergency response team procedures and training.
The inspector serves as a liaison between other emergency agencies such as the
local RCMP, Municipal Emergency Agencies, and other stakeholder groups.
The Emergency Response and Safety Inspector is an advisory role to the public
regarding sour gas emissions, flaring, odor, or other public safety concerns.
The pipelines inspector works with industry to ensure compliance with
regulatory requirements. Following an inspection, if there are any further
concerns regarding the company’s Emergency Response Plan, the Emergency
Response and Safety Inspector will be contacted to:
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Ensure an ERP is in place;
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Review regulatory requirements with regards to ERP’s;
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Ensure adequate emergency exercises and are carried out; and
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Develop a system for reporting the functionality of the ERP exercise.
For further information on Emergency Response Plans, please contact:
Mike Burzek
Emergency Response & Safety Manager
Project Assessment & Compliance Assurance
100-10003 110 Avenue
Fort St. John, BC V1J 6M7
Ph: (250) 261-5706
The Oil and Gas Commission takes all information and complaints seriously. The
Compliance and Enforcement Branch responds within 24 hours to incidents or
events that may have potential to affect public health or safety.
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