If you make contact with a pipeline,
stop work and notify the owner
immediately. Hidden damage could
cause a future pipeline failure.
The information in this brochure is intended for use
as a guide only. Consult the Pipeline Act (sections
32, 35, and 42) and the Pipeline Rules (Part 5,“Ground Disturbance”) for the exact wording ofthese requirements.
Noncompliance with the rules and requirements
applicable to ground disturbance could result ininjury or environmental damage. Penalties can
include fines or prosecution, and civil claims
for damages.

If you will be working inside the pipeline rightof-way, or within 5 m of the pipeline where
there is no designated pipeline right-of-way,
you must do the following:

Information Services
Alberta Energy Regulator
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4

Inquiries
1-855-297-8311

24–hour emergency
1-800-222-6514

inquiries@aer.ca
www.aer.ca
Ninth edition, July 2023

Excavator’s responsibilities:• search 30 m beyond the dig area

1. Get written approval from the pipeline
owner before you dig. (Industry mightrefer to such approvals as encroachment,
proximity, or crossing agreements.) If
the pipeline licensee does not respond,
see the Unresponsive Pipeline Licensee
procedure at www.aer.ca.

• check records for the existence of pipelines

2. Call the pipeline owner at least two fullworking days before you dig, so thepipeline can be located and marked
before you dig.

Pipeline licensee’s responsibilities:

3. Before digging with machinery within
5 m of the pipeline, locate and hand
expose the pipeline and request theattendance of the pipeline owner.
For more information, about the AER, contact:

Remember

4. Ensure that NO machinery is used todig within 60 cm of the pipeline or any
distance underneath the pipeline without
the supervision of the pipeline owner ora representative.
5. Call the pipeline owner at least one
full working day before you cover any
exposed pipeline.

• erect temporary fencing along the right-of-way,
if needed• construct proper crossings to allow access over
the right-of-way, if needed• provide pipeline information upon request• provide reasonable assistance to anyone carryingout a ground disturbance• mark the position of the pipeline before a ground
disturbance takes place• be present, if asked, during hand exposure• inspect the pipeline for damage prior to backfilling and keep a written record of this inspection• supervise any mechanical excavation taking place
within 60 cm of the pipeline or under the pipeline• provide all assistance without cost.

Requirements for Landowners
and Industry

Safe Excavation
Near Pipelines

If you are planning to create a ground disturbance, read Part 5 of the Pipeline Rules.

• Search for pipelines for a distance 30 metres (m)beyond the entire perimeter of the area in which
you plan to dig.

30 m
Excavation• Visit clickbeforeyoudig.com or directly contact
Utility Safety Partners (formerly Alberta One-Call)to request the location of any buried services.

Note that not all underground services areregistered on the One-Call system; do notassume that they are!
Other methods to search for pipelines:• Call the AER to check area records for theexistence of pipelines.

• discontinued pipelines, and• Check the Public Map Viewer in OneStop at• abandoned pipelines.

www.aer.ca.

Pipelines under the jurisdiction of the Canadian
Energy Regulator and the Rural Utilities Branch havetheir own requirements that must be followed.
Note that in this brochure, the term “dig” includes
any of the activities identified as a ground
disturbance.

What is a controlled area?

• Check with local utility providers.
• Check the land title for the easements orrights-of-way.

• Look for pipeline warning signs near the site.
Signs are typically found at road or watercrossings.

What is a right-of-way?
A pipeline right-of-way is the land allocated forthe pipeline and its maintenance as set out inthe agreement between the landowner and thepipeline company. The right-of-way is usuallyless than the 30 m controlled area, but it may
sometimes be more.
The width of the right-of-way should be identified
on the title or easement.
Do not assume that the pipeline is in the middle of
the right-of-way.

Pipeline

Right-of-way• operating pipelines,• Talk to nearby residents and landowners.

30 m

The requirements in this brochure apply to all
pipelines in Alberta that are licensed by theAlberta Energy Regulator (AER). These include• Look for ground settling from previous work.

A pipeline’s controlled area is the land bordering
it for 30 m along each side, measured from thecentre of the pipeline.

Two situations do not qualify as ground
disturbances:

2. Normal cultivation that does not exceed a
45 cm depth

stations, which might indicate the presenceof pipelines.

Determine where your project will be in relation
to the existing pipeline

Exceptions

1. Land disturbances of less than 30 centimetres (cm)that do not reduce the pipeline earth cover toless than that when first installed• Look for wells, tanks, valve stations, and meter

30 m

These actions are all defined as “ground disturbances”
in the Pipeline Act and the Pipeline Rules. Carelessconstruction near pipelines can cause serious
accidents—and cost you a lot of money—if you do notfollow proper pre- and post-construction procedures.

If you are planning to carry out a ground disturbance anywhere, you must do the following:

Controlled area

Ground disturbance includes such activities
as excavating, digging, trenching, plowing,
drilling, tunnelling, augering, backfilling, blasting, stripping topsoil, levelling, removing peat,
quarrying, clearing, grading, or pounding posts.

If you will be working in the controlled area
outside the pipeline right-of-way, you must dothe following:
1. Call the pipeline owner at least two fullworking days before you dig, so thepipeline can be located and marked
before you dig.
2. Install temporary fencing, if necessary, torestrict heavy equipment from operatingover the pipeline.
Note: All pipeline incidents in Alberta
must be reported to the AER, including
when a pipeline is hit, even if no productis released.