Oil and Gas Pipelines Oversight Program

As part of TSSA’s transition to an Outcome-Based Regulator, TSSA has developed a risk-based Operator Rating System (ORS) for pipeline operators. The ORS is in line with the best practices in other jurisdictions and focuses on reducing the risk of pipeline safety incidents.

The main purpose of the ORS is to examine and rate the effectiveness of each operator’s safety and loss management system (SLMS) which includes comprehensive policies and procedures regarding the operator’s design, construction, operation, and maintenance activities. The ORS is comprised of the following components:

1. Risk-based audit – TSSA’s primary method of regulatory oversight that assesses the efficacy of the organization’s SLMS based on data about the pipeline network
2. Field verification – A targeted physical inspection that is informed by the audit and focuses on areas of operation that could pose a risk to public safety
3. Safety intelligence framework – A systematic approach to data collection and risk analytics with a focus on collecting data directly tied to safety outcomes  
4. Compliance standards – A set of standards to inform pipeline operators about their safety priorities and requirements to reduce risk

The ORS was developed by an industry working group consisting of representatives from pipeline operators in the oil and gas sector, pipeline safety, risk management experts, and government stakeholders. The working group convened eight times from May to October 2020 and advised on the components of the ORS.

TSSA will start the first round of comprehensive risk-based audits in June 2021. TSSA plans to perform a comprehensive audit of all 19 licensed pipeline operators in Ontario, within four years from launch of the program.

Forms and Documents