Hydrostatic Testing of Pipelines

FACTS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

UNDERSTANDING HYDROSTATIC
TESTING LEGISLATION Code of Practice for the Temporary
Diversion of Water for Hydrostatic
Parties responsible This fact sheet describes when the two Testing of Pipelines (Water Act).
for hydrostatic Codes of Practice (COP) apply, and the
testing must ensure
they are in
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definitions that apply to each. Useful definition interpretations are
outlined below.
compliance with
Alberta One of the activities associated with
Environment’s hydrostatic testing of pipelines involves Hydrostatic testing applies to the
Legislation including pressure testing of a pipeline, including:
the requirements of
obtaining water from a natural water
the Codes of body. The right to divert water from a • Applies to all diversions up to
Practice and other natural water body and use of the water 30,000 m3 of water.
Applicable is regulated under the authority of the • Used for testing the integrity of any
Legislation type of pipeline (O&G, Utilities, etc.)
Water Act, Code of Practice for the
Temporary Diversion of Water for • Release from the pipeline at any
Hydrostatic Testing of Pipelines. For point.
diversions of water in excess of • Does not apply if the water is not
30 000m3 a water diversion license is released from the pipeline (This
required. rarely happens because eventually it
does leave the pipeline either at a
The release of hydrostatic test water to facility or entering another pipelines).
the environment after the completion of
the hydrostatic test is regulated under the Release means the discharge, seepage,
Environmental Protection and or leakage of water from a pipeline, this
Enhancement Act, Code of Practice for includes:
the Release of Hydrostatic Test Water • Any discharge of water from any part
from Hydrostatic Testing of Petroleum of the pipeline is considered a
Liquid and Gas Pipelines. release. Included in this are trucks,
tanks, to the environment, or any
Parties are required Parties responsible for hydrostatic testing other location identified below (as
to report any must ensure they are in compliance with described in Section 3(3)(e)(ii):
contravention in
accordance with the
Alberta Environment’s legislation o Land where no diverted
provisions outlined in including the requirements of the Codes water will enter a water body;
the two Codes of of Practice and other applicable or
Practice. legislation. o A surface water body; or
o An injection well; or
Enforcement o Another location.

Parties found in contravention of either Source means the supply from which
Alberta’s Water Act and/or Environmental water will be diverted for hydrostatic
Protection and Enhancement Act may be testing, this includes;
subject to enforcement. o Groundwater
o A surface water body
Parties are required to report any o A municipal supply
contravention in accordance with the o Or another source.
provisions outlined in the two Codes of
Practice.

For more information, please visit Alberta Environment’s website www.gov.ab.ca/env or phone (780) 427-6267 (dial 310-0000 first to connect toll free).
 FACTS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Code of Practice (COP) for The

Release of Hydrostatic Test Water The two codes can be reconciled by the
from Hydrostatic Testing of Petroleum following criteria:
Liquid and Gas Pipelines • If a person responsible was going to
If a person
(Environmental Protection and divert < 30,000 m3, but will release
responsible is going Enhancement Act) <1000m3, then that person need
to divert >30,000m3, only comply with the Water Act
then a temporary This COP applies to hydrostatic testing Diversion COP, and need not obtain
water diversion
for the purpose of pressure testing a a registration under the EPEA
license is required.
pipeline to determine its integrity. Release COP. There are still
provisions under the EPEA COP the
A registration under the COP must be person must follow, but no
submitted to the Director at least 7 days registration is needed.
prior to releasing over 1000m3 of water. • If a person responsible is going to
If less than 1000m3 of water is released, divert >30,000m3, then a
no registration is required, but the person temporary water diversion license
responsible must still comply with is required.
sections 4, 5, 6 ,7, 8, and Schedule 1 • If a person responsible was going to
and schedule 2 of the COP. divert <30,000m3, and release
>1000m3, but the release is not
Release means release of hydrostatic going to the “environment”, then the
test water to the environment. In order person need only comply with the
for the water to be released to the Water Act Diversion COP, and need
environment it must first meet the not obtain a registration under the
requirements of either Schedule 1 for EPEA Release COP. Provisions
release to land or Schedule 2 for release must still be followed under the
to surface water. EPEA COP.

Source Water means water that is More Information

diverted for used in hydrostatic testing.
All new pipelines must be tested using Copies of the regulations and code can
water that has not previously been used be obtained from the Queen’s Printer
for hydrostatic testing. A representative Bookstore at 10611 - 98 Avenue,
grab sample must be taken of the source Edmonton, by telephone at (780) 427-
water and analyzed for electrical 4952,or online at www.gov.ab.ca/qp.
conductivity and sodium adsorption
ration for all releases and total For additional information about
suspended solids if releases are to hydrostatic testing in Alberta contact the
receiving water. nearest Alberta Environmental regional
office.
Code Comparison
Edmonton: (780) 427-7617
In a comparison of the two Codes of Red Deer: (403) 340-7052
Practice dealing with hydrostatic testing, Calgary: (403) 297-5959
distinct differences exist in the definitions
of Director, hydrostatic testing, pipeline,
release, and source/ source water.

For more information, please visit Alberta Environment’s website www.gov.ab.ca/env or phone (780) 427-6267 (dial 310-0000 first to connect toll free).