Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area Petroleum Operations Framework Regulations (SOR/2024-25)

Marginal note:Formation flow test equipment

• 167 (1) An operator must ensure that the equipment used in a formation flow test is designed to safely control well pressure, evaluate the formation and prevent pollution.

• Marginal note:Rated working pressure

  (2) The operator must ensure that the rated working pressure of formation flow test equipment at and upstream of the well testing manifold exceeds the maximum anticipated shut-in pressure.

• Marginal note:Overpressure

  (3) The operator must ensure that all equipment downstream of the well testing manifold is protected against overpressure.

• Marginal note:Downhole safety valve — development well

  (4) The operator must ensure, in the case of a development well, that the formation flow test equipment includes a downhole safety valve that permits closure of the test string above the packer.

• Marginal note:Downhole safety valve — exploratory or delineation well

  (5) The operator must ensure, in the case of an exploratory well or a delineation well drilled on a geological feature, that a downhole safety valve is installed before a formation flow test is conducted unless

  • (a) it has been demonstrated as part of the formation flow test program referred to in paragraph 63(3)(a) that the level of risk of the proposed alternative arrangement in that program is equivalent to or lower than that of using a downhole safety valve; and

  • (b) the Board has approved the test under subsection 63(5).

• Marginal note:Subsea test tree

  (6) The operator must ensure that any formation flow test equipment used in testing a well that is drilled with a floating drilling unit has a subsea test tree that is equipped with

  • (a) a valve that can be operated from the surface and automatically closes when required to prevent uncontrolled well flow; and

  • (b) a release system that permits the test string to be hydraulically or mechanically disconnected within or below the blowout preventers.

Pipelines

Marginal note:Pipeline integrity — standard

• 168 (1) An operator must ensure that a pipeline is designed, constructed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with CSA Group standard Z662, Oil and gas pipeline systems, as it relates to offshore pipelines.

• Marginal note:Integrity management program

  (2) The operator must ensure that the pipeline system integrity management program required by that standard is implemented and periodically updated.

Monitoring of Installations, Wells and Pipelines

Marginal note:Monitoring of systems

• 169 (1) An operator must ensure that an installation is equipped with a central monitoring system in the main control centre to monitor all systems whose failure could cause or contribute to an accidental event or waste.

• Marginal note:Management of associated systems

  (2) The operator must ensure that the alarm, safety, monitoring, warning and control functions associated with the systems that are monitored under subsection (1) are managed to prevent reportable incidents and waste.

• Marginal note:Suspension of related system

  (3) When a function referred to in subsection (2) is suspended or found to be impaired, the operator must ensure that the use of any related system is also suspended until

  • (a) in the case of a function that is suspended, that function is returned to service; and

  • (b) in the case of a function that was found to be impaired, measures are implemented to offset the risk of a reportable incident or waste.

• Marginal note:Affected persons informed

  (4) The operator must ensure that all affected persons are informed when a function referred to in subsection (2) is suspended and when it is returned to service.

Marginal note:Deterioration

• 170 (1) An operator must, without delay, notify the Chief Safety Officer of any deterioration of an installation, including its systems or equipment, or of a pipeline, well, vessel or support craft if that deterioration could adversely affect safety or the environment.

• Marginal note:Notice to certifying authority

  (2) If an installation, system, equipment, pipeline or part of a well referred to in subsection (1) is within the scope of work referred to in section 31, the operator must also, without delay, notify the certifying authority of the deterioration.

• Marginal note:Impairment rectification

  (3) The operator must ensure that any impairment of an installation, including its systems or equipment, or of a pipeline, well, vessel or support craft is rectified without delay if the impairment could adversely affect safety or the environment.

• Marginal note:Mitigation measures

  (4) If it is not possible to rectify the impairment without delay, the operator must

  • (a) conduct a risk assessment to identify risk mitigation measures;

  • (b) implement those mitigation measures; and

  • (c) ensure that the impairment is rectified as soon as the circumstances permit.

• Marginal note:Non-application

  (5) Subsections (3) and (4) do not apply in respect of safety-critical elements.

PART 11Support Operations

Marginal note:Support craft

• 171 (1) An operator must, in respect of an installation on which persons are normally present, ensure that

  • (a) a support craft that is at a distance from the installation not greater than that required for a return time of 20 minutes is available at all times for emergency response; and

  • (b) whenever an aircraft is landing or taking off, or personnel are working over the side or otherwise exposed to the risk of falling in the water, a support craft is available in the immediate vicinity of the installation and ready to undertake rescue and recovery operations.

• Marginal note:Requirements

  (2) The support craft referred to in subsection (1) must be

  • (a) capable of safely providing necessary support functions in the foreseeable physical and environmental conditions prevailing in the area in which it operates;

  • (b) equipped to supply emergency services, including rescue and first aid treatment, for all personnel on the installation in the event of an emergency; and

  • (c) equipped with a self-righting fast rescue boat that

    • (i) meets the requirements under chapter V of the LSA Code,

    • (ii) is capable of being launched and retrieved when it is loaded with a full complement of persons and equipment, and

    • (iii) is ready for deployment in the event of an emergency.

• Marginal note:Required distance exceeded

  (3) If the support craft is located at a distance that exceeds the distance referred to in paragraph (1)(a), both the installation manager and the person in charge of the support craft must log that fact and the reason why the distance or time was exceeded.

• Marginal note:Vessel master

  (4) During any activity or situation referred to in paragraph (1)(b), or any other activity or situation that presents an increased level of risk to the safety of the installation, the vessel master must, under the direction of the installation manager, keep the craft in close proximity to the installation, maintain open communication channels with the installation and be prepared to conduct rescue operations.

Marginal note:Rescue boat — vessel

172 An operator must, in respect of any vessel that is used in a geoscientific program, geotechnical program, environmental program, diving project or construction activity, ensure that a rescue boat is available and ready for use in the event of an emergency.

Marginal note:Safety zone

• 173 (1) A support craft must not enter the safety zone around an installation or around a vessel that is engaged in a geoscientific program, geotechnical program, environmental program or diving project without the consent of the installation manager or the person in charge of the operations site.

• Marginal note:Notice to approaching aircraft or vessel

  (2) The operator must ensure that persons who are in charge of an aircraft or vessel that is approaching the safety zone are notified of the safety zone boundaries and of any hazards within that zone that relate to the operator’s installation or vessel.

• Marginal note:Boundaries — installation

  (3) The safety zone around an installation consists of the area within a line that encloses the installation and is drawn at a distance of 500 m from the outer edge of the installation or, if any component of the installation extends beyond that edge, from the outer limit of the component that extends furthest from that edge.

• Marginal note:Boundaries — vessel

  (4) The safety zone around a vessel referred to in subsection (1) consists of the area within a line that encloses the vessel and any of its attached equipment and is drawn at a distance that minimizes risks to safety, the environment and property located nearby, including fishing gear or fishing vessels.

Marginal note:Landing area

• 174 (1) An operator must ensure that the aircraft landing area on an installation or vessel and the equipment that is used in that area or that otherwise supports the take-off or landing of aircraft are designed to ensure safety and the protection of the environment and to prevent incidents or damage resulting from the use of aircraft.

• Marginal note:Requirements

  (2) The operator must ensure that the landing area

  • (a) has an obstacle-free take-off and approach area and is oriented relative to prevailing winds;

  • (b) can withstand all functional loads imposed by aircraft;

  • (c) can accommodate aircraft of expected sizes;

  • (d) has emergency response and firefighting equipment;

  • (e) has conspicuous markings and signage;

  • (f) has adequate lighting, including in reduced visibility conditions;

  • (g) has monitoring and status light systems and communication and meteorological equipment;

  • (h) is readily and safely accessible, including from the accommodations areas and from any temporary safe refuge; and

  • (i) in the case of a landing area on an installation, is equipped with fuel storage tanks.

• Marginal note:Fuel storage tanks

  (3) The operator must ensure that any fuel storage tanks that are in proximity to a landing area are stored safely and protected from damage, impact and fire.