5.2 In applying to the Authority for an Approval to Operate, the Operator shall provide to the Authority:

 (a) in the case of an Approval to Operate the Initial Development for the first time, detailed commissioning and start-up plans for the Initial Development, a copy of the full operation and maintenance plan for the Pipeline System, and a full manpower plan for the Operating Period;

 (b) in the case of an Approval to Operate additional facilities subsequent to the Initial Development for the first time, detailed commissioning and start-up plans for the additional facilities and a copy of the revised operation and maintenance plan for the Pipeline System, taking into account the additional facilities;

 (c) in the case of an Approval to Operate upon resumption of operation following a discontinuance of operation of the Pipeline System or any part thereof, start-up plans for the relevant part of the Pipeline System and a copy of the current operation and maintenance plan for the entire Pipeline System; and 

 (d) in each of those cases, a copy of the Pipeline Licence granted under the West African Gas Pipeline Act.

 5.3 The Authority shall grant an Approval to Operate upon receipt of the materials referred to in Regulation 5.2 together with a Certificate of Compliance in respect of the Initial Development or the additional facilities or that part of the Pipeline System in respect of which operation is to be resumed, as the case may be, given by the Company or by a contractor on behalf of the Company.

 5.4 The Authority shall respond in writing within 21 days of receipt of a request from the Operator for an Approval to Operate, either advising of its approval to operate the Pipeline System or the additional facilities or else advising what matters it requires to be satisfied before giving its approval. If the Authority does not respond in writing within 21 days of receipt of a request from the Operator the Approval to Operate shall be deemed given on the 22nd day following receipt by the Authority of the request.

 Operation and Maintenance Procedures

 5.5 The Operator shall, to the extent reasonably practical, continuously monitor the operation of the Pipeline System. Computational Pipeline Monitoring shall not be used to monitor the Pipeline System. No part of the Pipeline System shall be operated outside of its normal operating design parameters except for the purpose of testing.

 5.6 Prior to commencement of operation of the Pipeline System, the Operator shall prepare a Safe Practices and Procedures Manual containing written procedures for conducting operation and maintenance activities in respect of such pipeline as well as procedures for handling abnormal operations. The Operator shall review and if applicable update this manual at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once every calendar year. Copies of the Safe Practices and Procedures Manual shall be made available at all locations where operation and maintenance activities are conducted in respect of the Pipeline System. 5.7 The Safe Practices and Procedures Manual shall include procedures designed to ensure that operation and maintenance activities in respect of the Pipeline System are incident and injury free and that these activities are carried out in such a way that the soundness and fitness for purpose for which the Pipeline System has been designed will not be compromised, and will not present a hazard to persons, environmental damage, or damage to property. The following matters, if applicable, shall be addressed in the State Practices and Procedure Manual: (a) the start-up, operation, maintenance and repair of the Pipeline System in accordance with these Regulations; (b) pigging operations; (c) remotely operated vehicle operations; (d) a formal written procedure used to control types of work which are potentially hazardous, non-routine, or not related to the normal operation of the Pipeline System; (e) procedures to ensure that zero energy is present prior to work commencing on facilities or equipment; (f) corrosion control in accordance with the operation and maintenance requirements; (g) construction records, maps, and operating history which should be made available to appropriate operating personnel; (h) the collection of data needed for reporting incidents in a timely and effective manner; (i) starting up and shutting down any part of the Pipeline System in a manner designed to ensure operation within the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure limits; (j) a maintenance program covering all pipeline facilities and equipment;  (k) isolating units or sections of pipe and for purging before returning to service; (l) the periodical review of work done by operating personnel to determine the effectiveness, and adequacy of the procedures used in normal operation and maintenance and modifying the procedures when deficiencies are found; (m) precautions in excavated trenches to protect personnel from the hazards of unsafe accumulations of vapour or gas, and the availability when needed at the excavation emergency rescue equipment, including breathing apparatus and a rescue harness and line; and (n) monitoring of emissions as set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment. 5.8 The Safe Practices and Procedures Manual shall also include, procedures for the following to provide safety when operating design limits have been exceeded or when an abnormal operation has occurred: (a) response to, investigation of, and correction of the cause of: (i) unintended closure of valves or shutdown;< (ii) increase or decrease in pressure or flow rate outside normal operating limits; (iii) loss of communications; (iv) operation of any safety device; and  (v) any other foreseeable malfunction of a component, deviation from normal operation, or personnel error, which may result in a hazard to persons, environmental damage or damage to property. (b) the verification of variations from normal operation after abnormal operation has ended at sufficient critical locations in the system to determine continued integrity and safe operation;> (c) the notification to the relevant responsible Operator personnel when notice of an abnormal operation is received; and  (d) the periodical review of the response of operating personnel to determine the effectiveness of the procedures controlling abnormal operation and taking corrective action where deficiencies are found. Training 5.9 The Operator shall establish and conduct a training program, which shall: (a) provide operating and maintenance personnel with an understanding of, and the necessary skills and proficiency to carry out, each element of the Safe Practices and Procedures Manual appropriate to the relevant personnel; and  (b) include pertinent policies, procedures, job methods and materials, tools and equipment involved, how to recognize safety-related conditions, and the procedures for reporting safety-related conditions. 5.10 The Operator shall keep records of the training program including descriptions of the training organised, the dates on which such training took place and a list of attendees for the relevant training. Emergency Response Plan 5.11 The Operator shall prepare written procedures to minimize the hazard resulting from an Emergency Condition; including: (a) procedures for the receipt, notification and clarification of notices of an Emergency Condition; (b) procedures for a prompt and effective response to a notice of an Emergency Condition; (c) procedures relating to the availability of personnel, equipment, tools, and materials, as needed at the scene of an Emergency Condition (including the arrangements that need to be made to assure the availability of personnel, equipment, tools and materials depending on the type of Emergency Condition, and the assignment of responsibilities for coordinating, directing and performing emergency response functions); (d) description of the actions that may be required by the first employee arriving at the scene in order to protect people and property; (e) provisions for emergency shutdown and pressure reduction in any section of the Pipeline System necessary to minimize hazards to human health, property or the environment; (f) provisions for locating and making safe any actual or potential hazard; and  (g) procedures for the safe restoration of service to the relevant parts of the Pipeline System affected by the incident, after proper corrective measures have been taken, including: (i) purging and re-pressurizing of the relevant parts of Pipeline System; and  (ii) resurvey of the area involved in a leak incidents to locate any additional leaks. 5.12 The Emergency Response Plan shall comply with NFPA 600. 5.13 The Operator shall: (a) furnish its personnel who are responsible for emergency response action with a copy of the Emergency Response Plan;  (b) review and if applicable update the Emergency Response Plan at least once every calendar year or at the end of any Emergency Condition; (c) train the appropriate operating personnel to ensure that they are knowledgeable of the emergency response procedures and verify that the training is effective; (d) conduct site specific drills or desktop exercises on a quarterly basis; (e) train operating personnel in the use of firefighting and emergency response equipment; (f) maintain records relating to the training; (g) review operating personnel activities to determine whether the procedures were followed effectively and in a timely manner in each incident and, where required, amend the procedures as indicated by the experience and lessons learned from the incident; and  (h) designate a location to be an incident control centre for the communication, co-ordination and management of emergency response activities. 5.14 The Operator shall establish and maintain liaison with appropriate fire, police, and other public officials to: (a) establish the responsibility and resources of each government organization that may respond to a gas pipeline incident; (b) acquaint the officials with the Operator's ability in responding to a gas pipeline incident; (c) plan how the Operator and the relevant officials can engage in mutual assistance to minimize hazards to life or property including procedures for notification; and  (d) subject to the participation of the relevant State Authorities, conduct at least one major exercise per calendar year in respect of the Pipeline System involving operating personnel and appropriate fire, police and public officials. Damage Prevention Program 5.15 The Operator shall prepare a Damage Prevention Program to prevent damage to the Pipeline System by excavation activities performed by third parties. For the purpose of this Regulation and Regulation 5.16, "excavation activities" include excavation, blasting, boring, tunnelling, backfilling, the removal of above ground structures by either explosive or mechanical means, or other earth moving operations. 5.16 The Damage Prevention Program shall include: (a) the identity, on a current basis, of persons who normally engage in excavation activities in the area in which the pipeline is located; and  (b) provisions for notification to the public in the vicinity of the pipeline and for actual notification to the persons identified in paragraph (a) above as often as needed to make them aware of the existence and purpose of the Damage Prevention Program, and how to learn the location of underground pipelines before excavation activities are begun; (c) description of a method of receiving and recording notifications of planned excavation activities; (d) the type of temporary markings to be provided and how to identify the markings to be provided to those persons who give notice of their intent to excavate in the area of the Operator's buried pipelines; and (e) provisions for temporary marking of buried pipelines in the area of excavation activity before, as far as practical, the activity begins. 5.17 The Damage Prevention Program need not extend to pipelines located offshore or to which access is physically controlled by the Operator. Repairs 5.18 Any repairs to the Pipeline System shall be carried out in accordance with:   (a) the safety provisions contained in API RP 1111; and   (b) good pipeline practice. 5.19 Repaired sections of the Pipeline System shall be pressure tested in the same manner as those sections were pressure tested initially. Replacement pipe may be pre-tested prior to installing in the pipeline. The tie-in welds shall be non-distructively tested. 5.20 The Operator shall ensure that sufficient spares and repair parts are available to ensure timely and effective repairs, to the extent which would reasonably be expected of a prudent operator. Spare parts should include suitable clamps, flanges and valves. Pipeline Patrol 5.21 The Operator shall have a patrol program to observe surface conditions on and adjacent to the pipeline right-of-way for indications of leaks, construction activity and other factors affecting the safety and operation of the Pipeline System. 5.22 The required frequency of patrols is determined by the size of the line, the operating pressures, the class location, terrain, weather, ocean currents, significant changes in beach profile, and other relevant factors, but intervals between patrols may not be longer than as prescribed in the following table:>  Location Class of Line Maximum interval between patrols at highway and railroad crossings At all other places  1 and 2 7 months; but at least twice each calendar year 15 months; but at least once each calendar year  3 and 4 4 months; but at least four times each calendar year 7 months; but at least twice each calendar year   Leakage Surveys 5.23 Subject to Regulation 5.24, the Operator shall conduct leakage surveys of the pipeline at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. 5.24 If gas without an odor or odorant is to be transported through the Pipeline System, the Operator shall conduct leakage surveys using gas detector equipment in Location Class 3, at intervals not exceeding 7 months, but at least twice each calendar year. Pipeline Markers 5.25 Except as provided in Regulation 5.27, a pipeline line marker shall be placed and maintained as close as practical over each buried pipeline, and;  (a) at each crossing of a public road and railroad; (b) at each navigable river crossing; (c) at each change of direction; and  (d) wherever necessary to identify the location of the pipeline or main to reduce the possibility of damage or interference. 5.26 Where practical, markers shall be located so that the line of sight between markers is not impeded. 5.27 No pipeline line markers are required for the Pipeline System: (a) where located offshore; (b) in Class 3 locations where a Damage Prevention Program is in effect; and  (c) in Class 3 locations where placement of a line marker is impractical. 5.28 Line markers for the Pipeline System shall be placed and maintained along each section of the Pipeline System that is located above ground in an area accessible to the public, including the beach front at the tide line. 5.29 The following shall be written legibly on a background of sharply contrasting colour on each line marker:

 (a) the word "Warning," "Caution," or "Danger" followed by the words "High Pressure Natural Gas Pipeline", shall be in letters at least 3 centimetres high with 5/8 centimetre stroke;

 (b) the name of the Operator and the telephone number (including country code, where applicable, and the area code) where a responsible employee can be reached at all times; and 

 (c) the pipeline chainage.

 5.30 The marker warnings shall be written in French, English and the local language if applicable.

 Inspection and testing

 5.31 The Operator shall inspect and test all Vital Equipment, including safety shutdown initiating devices, pressure relieving devices and associated control systems at intervals not exceeding 6 months, to determine that it functions properly and that it is:

 (a) in good mechanical and/or electrical condition;

 (b) set to function at correct set point; and 

 (c) properly installed and protected from dirt, liquids, or other conditions that might impair proper operation.

 5.32 The Operator shall inspect and test all Essential Equipment at intervals not exceeding 15 months to determine that it functions properly and that it is:

 (a) in good mechanical and/or electrical condition;

 (b) set to function at the correct set point; and 

 (c) properly installed and protected from dirt, liquids, or other conditions that might impair proper operation.

 5.33 Any defective equipment found that does not meet the requirements set out in Regulations 5.31 and 5.32 shall be promptly repaired or replaced, and details of testing, inspection and any remedial actions taken shall be recorded and retained for as long as the equipment involved remains in service.

 Cathodic Protection Inspection

 5.34 The Operator shall test the Pipeline System at least once each calendar year, but with intervals not exceeding 15 months, to determine whether the cathodic protection meets the requirements of Regulations 6.12 to 6.14.

 5.35 The operator shall inspect each cathodic protection rectifier or other impressed current power source 6 times each calendar year, but with intervals not exceeding 3 months, to ensure that it is operating properly.

 5.36 The Operator shall check electrically for proper performance six times each calendar year each reverse current switch, each diode, and each interference bond whose failure would jeopardize structure protection, but with intervals not exceeding 3 months. The Operator shall check each other interference bond at least once each calendar year, but with intervals not exceeding 15 months.

 5.37 The Operator shall take prompt remedial action to correct any deficiencies revealed by an inspection.

 Valve Maintenance

 5.38 The Operator shall inspect each valve critical to the safe operation of the pipeline and shall carry out a partial stroke test at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. The Operator shall record the results of such inspection in accordance with Regulations 12.1 and 12.2 below. The Operator shall maintain valves in accordance with valve manufacturer's recommendations.

 Blowdown

 5.39 The Operator shall not discharge gas from blowdown piping where it will create a hazard to public health or safety.

 Operator Qualification Program

 5.40 The Operator shall prepare and comply with a written Operator Qualification Program for its personnel that shall include provisions to:

 (a) identify Covered Tasks;

 (b) ensure through evaluation that individuals performing Covered Tasks are qualified for such tasks;

 c) allow individuals that are not qualified pursuant to the Regulations to perform a Covered Task if directed and observed by an individual that is qualified;

 (d) evaluate an individual if the Operator has reason to believe that the individual's performance of a Covered Task contributed to an incident;

 (e) evaluate an individual if the Operator has reason to believe that the individual is no longer qualified to perform a Covered Task;

 (f) communicate changes that affect Covered Tasks to individuals performing those Covered Tasks; and 

 (g) identify those Covered Tasks and the intervals at which evaluation of the individual's qualifications is needed.

 Measurement

 5.41 The gas flow rate, totals and quantities of gas delivered during any period shall be calculated by the Operator in accordance with ISO 5167, or other equivalent internationally recognised standards. Volumes shall be corrected for temperature and density as provided in ISO 6976 at base conditions of 14.73 psia (1.01560 bar) and 60ºF(ºC). Corrections of volumes for deviation from Boyle's Law shall be made in accordance with the procedures published in the AGA Report No. 8.

 5.42 The Following temperature of the Gas shall be determined by means of a temperature averaging device, flow computer, or a recording thermometer of standard manufacture. Volumes shall be corrected for each degree of variation in the average temperature from 60ºF(ºC) in accordance with ISO 5167.

 5.43 For reporting purposes:

 (a) calorific values shall be converted to British Thermal Units at standard conditions of 14.73 psia (1.01560 bar) and 60ºF(ºC);

 (b) analysis of Gas with gas chromatographs shall comply with the standards set forth in ASTMD 1945;

 (c) collecting and handling of Gas samples shall follow standards set forth in ISO 10715; and 

 (d) the Higher Heating Value of the gas shall be determined in accordance with ISO 6976.

 5.44 The accuracy of all measuring instruments shall be tested by the Operator at least once every calendar month and the period between any two calibrations of any such equipment shall not exceed 42 Days. For the purposes of measurement and meter calibration the atmospheric pressure shall be assumed to be constant at an absolute pressure of 14.73 psia (1.0560 bar).

 5.45 The reading of instruments at the R&M station and collection and processing of data shall be carried out by the Operator. The Operator shall procure that the data used to determine invoiced quantities will be retained for a period of 24 months from the end of the calendar year to which they relate (unless there is a dispute, in which case such records shall be retained until the resolution of the dispute).

 5.46 Unless otherwise specified, records of calibrations and tests conducted under this Regulation 5 shall be retained for inspection for a period of not less than 3 years.

 Safe Work Practice Procedures

 5.47 The Operator shall develop Safe Work Practice Procedures that will include the following elements:

 (a) prohibited actions, items and substances, for which purpose;

 (i) prohibited actions shall include actions that are prohibited such as reporting to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs; horseplay; gambling; fighting; sleeping while on duty; running except in case of emergency);

 (ii) prohibited items shall include weapons; "strike anywhere" matches; lighters with exposed flint mechanisms; and 

 (iii) prohibited substances shall include illegal drugs and alcohol;

 (b) smoking—smoke only in approved locations;

 (c) warning signs and tags—tags and signs are to be observed and not to be removed;

 (d) water safety—use of life jackets and proper method for transferring to/from watercraft and procedures for loading/unloading materials from watercraft;

 (e) fire prevention—including use and periodic inspection of fire extinguishing equipment;

 (f) entering attended/unattended facilities—requirements of contact person in charge, when entering attended facilities, to state the business purpose of the visit and give names of all personnel in visiting party; and when entering unattended facilities, to contact the control centre, state the business purpose of the visit and give names of all personnel in visiting party;

 (g) visitors to the Operator's facilities—visitors' to comply with the Operator's safety procedures and to wear necessary personal protective equipment;

 (h) motor vehicle operation—Operator owned/leased/ rented vehicles to be used for Operator business only; policy on use for employee commuting; list of vehicle driver's responsibilities;

 (i) lockout/tagout procedures—procedures for isolating equipment before maintenance is performed on the equipment;

 (j) hot work permits—procedure for obtaining a hot work permit and when a hot work permit is required;

 (k) confined space entry procedures—procedure for entering a confined space including the definition of confined space and the procedure for testing before entering;

 (l) excavation safety—process to determine the type of soil; when shoring is required; types of shoring; requirements for means of ingress/egress; requirements for monitoring atmosphere inside the excavation;

 (m) electrical safety—requirements for work on electrical equipment to be performed only by qualified personnel, to include defining when and what type of special personal protective equipment is required; requirement for employees who work on electrical equipment to be trained in CPR and first aid;

 (n) personal protective equipment—types of personal protective equipment and when each should be used; procedures for the care and maintenance of the personal protective equipment and how to properly fit the equipment to the employee; prescription of employee training requirements, when noise protection is required and types of noise protection equipment.

 (o) handling hazardous materials and substances— employee training in how to access and use Material Safety Data Sheets; employee training in the proper type of personal protective equipment to be used for any hazardous materials and substances that may be encountered in carrying out their normal assignments;

 (p) aircraft safety—procedure pertaining only to chartered aircraft, if applicable. (for commercial flights, employee requirement to follow the safety rules of the carrier operating the commercial light); employee training to follow the charter pilot's instructions and the proper methods for entering and exiting the various types of aircraft that may be used by the Operator;

 (q) first aid and CPR—employee training in how and when to administer first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); employee training in how to contact emergency services for assistance; employee familiarity with the location of first aid kits and how to replenish supplies; and 

 (r) diving operations—ensuring that all diving operations are carried out so that as far as is reasonably practical all persons involved in diving operations are not exposed to health or safety risks.

 Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure

 5.48 The Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure shall not exceed the least of the following:

 (a) The internal design pressure of the pipeline, valves, flanges, and fittings; and

 (b) The hydrostatic test pressure of the pipeline divided by the appropriate factor listed in Table 841.322 (f) in ASME B31.8.