BC solidifies oil and gas safety oversight, including LNG

British Columbia on Wednesday issued amendments aiming to clarify regulatory oversight of oil and gas facilities, including LNG.

Under the “Safety Standards Amendment Act, 2016” BC Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) will be responsible for the safety of oil and gas operations, the minister of natural gas development Rich Coleman said in a statement.

The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) is put in charge of providing oversight of technical equipment in industries throughout the province, the statement reveals.

Responsibilities of the two agencies are clarified in the Oil and Gas Activities Act and the Safety Standards Act under which BCSA is responsible for refrigeration units such as ice arenas and cold storage facilities.

The OGC is responsible for refrigeration required for liquefaction in LNG plants, the statement says.

The amendments will additionally ensure “best regulations for governing refrigeration in LNG, eliminate overlapping of both regulators and ensure safety oversight of elevators and ropeways in large facilities“.

LNG World News Staff