Canadian Regulator Seeks Comments on Request to Extend TSP

The Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) said August 24 it would receive comments on a request from the Explorers and Producers Association of Canada (Epac) to extend provisions in Nova Gas Transmission Limited’s (NGTL’s) tariff giving easier access to storage during periods of pipeline maintenance.

In September 2019, the CER approved a temporary service protocol (TSP) in NGTL’s tariff that would make it easier to get natural gas into storage during summer season maintenance periods. The TSP was in effect during October 2019 and again starting in April this year and extending through to the end of October.

Epac wants the TSP extended to include the 2021 summer gas season, which ends on October 31, 2021, or until leave to open the last components of NGTL’s 2021 system expansion program is granted, whichever occurs first.

The initial schedule for the TSP would have covered most periods of service interruption associated with the expansion, which in February this year the CER recommended be approved by the federal government. In May, however, the government extended the deadline for its decision to October 19.

“The extension has been projected to delay some facilities of the system capacity realisation and possibly all facilities by a full year,” Epac said in its application to the CER. “Of particular concern is the potential for disruptions in access to storage and the potential for a recurrence of volatility unless the TSP is in place throughout April-October 2021.”

Under the CER’s schedule for dealing with Epac’s application, NGTL has until August 31 to file its current tariff with the regulator and make any comments on the application. Interested parties and shippers have until September 15 to file comments, while NGTL and Epac have until September 22 and September 29, respectively, to file reply comments.

“After reviewing the comments, the Commission may issue its decision on this matter, or the Commission may establish a further process to deal with the Application,” the CER said.