Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulations (Petroleum Sector) (SOR/2020-231)

Marginal note:Repairs

• 8 (1) An equipment component that has a significant leak must be repaired not later than 15 days after the day on which the leak is detected, unless it has been flagged for repair under subsection (6). However, before flagging an equipment component for repair under that subsection, the operator must attempt to repair the component within 15 days using generally accepted best repair practices for the component.

• Marginal note:Presumed significant leak

  (2) A leak in an equipment component that is detected by using a leak detection instrument or by using sensory methods, including auditory, visual or olfactory methods, or that is detected as a result of an indication from a sensor that the component’s barrier fluid system has failed, is considered to be a significant leak unless

  • (a) the leak is in a heavy-liquid component and the heavy-liquid drop rate is less than three drops per minute;

  • (b) the leak is in a compressor and the concentration of VOCs, as measured using a portable monitoring instrument that meets the requirements of subsection 5(1), is less than 1000 ppmv; or

  • (c) the leak is in an equipment component, other than one referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), and the concentration of VOCs, as measured using a portable monitoring instrument that meets the requirements of subsection 5(1), is less than

    • (i) 10,000 ppmv, if the leak is detected on or before December 31, 2026, and

    • (ii) 1000 ppmv, if the leak is detected after December 31, 2026.

• Marginal note:Inspection before repair — heavy-liquid equipment component

  (3) If a leak in a heavy-liquid equipment component is detected by a means other than a visual inspection, the equipment component must, before it is repaired, be inspected visually for leaks.

• Marginal note:Inspection before repair — gas or light-liquid equipment component

  (4) If a leak in an equipment component, other than a heavy-liquid component, is detected by a means other than a portable monitoring instrument, the component must, before it is repaired, be inspected for leaks using a portable monitoring instrument that meets the requirements of subsection 5(1).

• Marginal note:Exception

  (5) Subsections (3) and (4) do not apply if an authorized official determines that the equipment component cannot be inspected before it is repaired without exposing any individual to immediate danger.

• Marginal note:Flagging for repair

  (6) An equipment component that has a significant leak but cannot be repaired within 15 days after the day on which the leak is detected, despite the operator’s attempt to repair the component using generally accepted best repair practices for the component, must be flagged for repair — either by attaching a tag to the component or by noting the need for the repair in an electronic tracking system — as follows:

  • (a) if the repair does not require a full or partial shutdown of the facility, the tag or note must indicate that the equipment component is to be repaired not later than 60 days after the day on which the leak is detected; and

  • (b) if the repair requires a full or partial shutdown of the facility, the tag or note must indicate that the equipment component is to be repaired before the end of the next shutdown, whether full or partial.

• Marginal note:Repairs — time limits for flagged equipment components

  (7) An equipment component that has a significant leak and is flagged for repair under subsection (6) must be repaired

  • (a) not later than 60 days after the day on which the leak is detected, if it is flagged in accordance with paragraph (6)(a); and

  • (b) before the end of the next shutdown, whether full or partial, if it is flagged in accordance with paragraph (6)(b).

• Marginal note:Valve with three significant leaks

  (8) A valve, other than a control valve, that has three significant leaks in any period of 24 consecutive months must be replaced with a certified low-leaking valve or repacked with certified low-leaking valve packing within the period required by subsection (1).

• Marginal note:Exception

  (9) Subsection (8) does not apply in respect of a valve for which no certified low-leaking valve and no certified low-leaking valve are commercially available.

• Marginal note:Completed repairs

  (10) The repair of the equipment component is considered to be completed when, following the repair,

  • (a) a visual inspection of the component indicates that there is no longer any significant leak in the component, if the component is a heavy-liquid component; and

  • (b) an inspection of the component using a portable monitoring instrument that meets the requirements of subsection 5(1) indicates that there is no longer any significant leak in the component, if the component is not a heavy-liquid component.