Follow These Steps If Working Near a Right-Of-Way:
Are you working within 30 meters of a PNG right-of-way? Operating heavy equipment near or driving heavy loads over a high-pressure natural gas pipeline is a high-risk activity. If you plan to cross or disturb the ground in close proximity to a PNG right-of-way, it is mandatory that you get written permission from PNG.
1 – Contact BC 1 Call – click or call 1-800-474-6886 to request the location of buried utility lines. BC 1 Call will advise PNG of your intentions to work near a right-of-way so we can review the information and start the permitting process.
2 – Complete an application – if it is determined that you require written authorization, you must submit an application package to PNG to provide details of the work you plan to do. Read the “Pipeline Crossing & Proximity Guide” and learn how to complete the “Pipeline and/or Right of Way Works Application.”
Application Form – Works within 30m of PNG Pipeline Right of Ways
Pipeline Crossing & Proximity Guide
3 – Obtain written permission – after you submit a complete application, PNG will review it in detail, which will take up a minimum of 28 days. Once we give you written authorization, you must review and sign the agreement, and return it to crossings@png.ca.
4 – You must give seven days’ notice – notify PNG at least seven working days before starting your work to allow us to coordinate a site visit or long-term presence with you and your team.
5 – Wait for locate confirmation – as part of the locate and permitting process, an authorized PNG field representative will come out and mark the location of the buried pipeline.
- Never attempt to locate the buried pipeline yourself. The exact location of the buried pipeline can ONLY be verified by an authorized PNG field representative.
6 – Follow expert instructions – our authorized PNG engineering and field representatives are experienced at working safely near rights-of-way and high-pressure pipelines. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions about crossing designs and/or how to keep your team safe.
- An authorized PNG field representative may establish a restricted area to safely locate and stake a pipeline. The restricted area is temporary, but excavation is not permitted in the area until it expires.
7 – Tell us before backfilling – notify PNG at least one working day before backfilling over any exposed pipeline, and provide a backfill plan if required. This will allow us to examine the pipeline for damage that may have occurred during excavation.
For more information or if you have questions, contact crossings@png.ca or call 1-800-667-2297
When Do You Need authorization?
Permission is required from PNG for any ground disturbance within the right-of-way or within 30 meters of the right-of-way. Permission is also required from PNG for any activity that is considered potentially hazardous to the pipeline.
Potentially hazardous activities include but are not limited to:
- Operating heavy equipment
- Pipeline Crossing(s)
- Any excavation
- Sub-soiling (deep plowing)
- Ground leveling
- Installing drainage systems
- Planting shrubs
- Fencing or piling
- Drilling and blasting
- Powerline construction (which may induce current on the pipeline)
- Seismic exploration
- Logging, mining, or quarrying
- Road maintenance and construction
If you have any doubt about whether you need authorization for work around near the right-of-way, please call us at 1-800-667-2297.
What Isn’t Allowed in the Right-Of-Way?
While permission may be given for the activities listed above, there are certain activities that are completely prohibited within the right-of-way.
There must be:
- No buildings or placed structures within the right-of-way
- No burning on the right-of-way (campfires, pile burning, prescribed fire, etc.)
- No material storage such as soil, rocks, logs, etc. on the right-of-way
- No trees planted (except in special cases where engineered measures protect the pipeline)
Making Use of the Right-Of-Way
The pipeline right-of-way is an important part of how PNG gets gas to our customers. It allows our workers to access facilities for inspection, maintenance, testing, and responding to emergencies.
As a landowner or land user, there may be sections of the pipeline right-of-way that you wish to use for recreational and other purposes. Here is a list of some activities that are generally acceptable and safe:
- Maintaining lawns and gardens
- Most normal farming activities (except deep plowing)
- Trails for walking, hiking, horse riding, etc.
- Keeping livestock