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 the application, PNG will review it in detail, which may take up to 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 three days’ notice – notify PNG at least three working days (72 hours) 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