Regulations Respecting Reduction in the Release of Methane and Certain Volatile Organic Compounds (Upstream Oil and Gas Sector) — 16
16 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 45.1: Hydrocarbon Gas Destruction Engineering study required 46 (1) The destruction of hydrocarbon gas at an upstream oil and gas facility, other than destruction that is necessary to avoid serious risk to human health or safety arising from an emergency situation, must be supported by an engineering study that concludes that use of the hydrocarbon gas to produce useful heat or energy is not feasible in the circumstances. Reassessment (2) The engineering study must be reassessed every 12 months by an engineer and if the conclusion referred to in subsection (1) can no longer be supported, the destruction of hydrocarbon gas at the facility must cease. Hydrocarbon gas destruction equipment 47 (1) Hydrocarbon gas destruction equipment, other than a catalytic oxidation system, that is used at an upstream oil and gas facility must (a) have a combustion system that, when hydrocarbon gas is routed to that system, (i) maintains the stable combustion of hydrocarbon gas without generating any visible emission, and (ii) has a carbon conversion efficiency of at least 98%; and (b) be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations or, if they are not available, industry standards and best practices. Visual inspection (2) If the combustion system referred to in paragraph (1)(a) does not have an automatic flame failure detection system, the hydrocarbon gas destruction equipment must be visually inspected at least once every seven days to ensure that stable combustion of hydrocarbon gas is being maintained. Catalytic oxidation system (3) A catalytic oxidation system that is used at an upstream oil and gas facility for the purpose of hydrocarbon gas destruction must (a) be operated such that hydrocarbon gas is not routed to the system when the catalyst temperature is below that recommended by the equipment manufacturer; and (b) be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Records 48 (1) If destruction of hydrocarbon gas occurs at an upstream oil and gas facility, a record must be made that contains (a) a copy of the engineering study referred to in subsection 46(1); and (b) as applicable, a copy of the conclusions of any reassessment of that study performed in accordance with subsection 46(2). Records (2) The following records must be made respecting the hydrocarbon gas destruction equipment that is located at the facility: (a) a record that indicates whether the equipment consists of a combustion system or catalytic oxidation system; (b) in the case where the equipment consists of a combustion system, (i) a record that indicates whether it has an automatic flame failure detection system and how the flame will be relit if it fails, and (ii) if the combustion system does not have an automatic flame failure detection system, a record of each visual inspection performed in accordance with subsection 47(2); and (c) a record that indicates how the equipment meets the requirements of subsection 47(1) or (3), as applicable, and that contains a description of how the equipment is operated and maintained, including the manufacturer’s recommendations — or, if they are not available — a list of the industry standards and best practices for its operation and maintenance. Venting Venting prohibited 49 (1) Subject to subsection (2), hydrocarbon gas must not be vented from an upstream oil and gas facility. Exceptions (2) Hydrocarbon gas may be vented from the facility if (a) it is vented as part of planned equipment maintenance or a planned temporary depressurization of equipment or a pipeline and measures are taken to minimize the volume of hydrocarbon gas that is vented; (b) it is necessary to avoid serious risk to human health or safety arising from an emergency situation; (c) the heating value of the hydrocarbon gas or its flow rate are insufficient to sustain continuous destruction of the gas by hydrocarbon gas destructi