Stream 1 substances in the Petroleum Sector Stream Approach

Stream 1 substances for the Petroleum Sector Stream Approach were identified during the initial triage as site-restricted substances, which are substances that are not expected to be transported off refinery, upgrader or natural gas processing facility sites. Refer to the Petroleum Sector Stream Approach Substances List.

• Risk management actions
  • Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulations (Petroleum Sector)
• Adding substances to Schedule 1
• Summary of Stream 1 substances and publications
• Timelines
• Final screening assessments and proposed risk management approaches
  • Site-restricted gas oil
  • Site-restricted heavy fuel oils
  • Site-restricted low boiling point napthas
  • Site-restricted petroleum and refinery gases

Risk management actions

Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulations (Petroleum Sector)

In November 2020, the Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulations (Petroleum Sector) were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II: Vol. 154, No. 23 - November 11, 2020.

The regulations require the implementation of comprehensive leak detection and repair programs at petroleum refineries, upgraders and certain petrochemical facilities. The operators of these facilities are also required to ensure that certain equipment components are designed and operated in a manner that prevents leaks, and to monitor the level of certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at facility perimeters. The regulations will reduce releases of VOCs, including petroleum and refinery gases (PRGs).

In May 2017, the proposed regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, Vol. 151, No. 21 – May 27, 2017 for a 60-day public comment period. Comments and information received during the comment period were considered in the development of the final regulations.

Adding substances to Schedule 1

Forty substances in this stream have been added to Schedule 1.

• Final order adding 40 Stream 1 site-restricted petroleum and refinery gases and 4 Stream 2 industry-restricted petroleum and refinery gases (44 substances): Canada Gazette, Part II: Vol. 150, No. 20 – October 5, 2016.

Summary of Stream 1 substances and publications

Final screening assessments and proposed risk management approaches

Site-restricted gas oil

In September 2011, the final screening assessment for 1 substance was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 145, No. 36 - September 10, 2011.

The final screening assessment concluded that this substance does not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA 1999, therefore the Ministers of the Environment and of Health proposed to take no further action on this substance at this time under the Act. No proposed risk management approach was prepared.

For the remaining gas oil substance in Stream 1 for which a draft screening assessment was released in May 2010, comments were received during the public comment period indicating that this substance (CAS RN 64741-82-8) may be transported to other industrial facilities and, as such, is not site-restricted. Therefore, this substance was assessed as part of Stream 2 of the Petroleum Sector Stream Approach.

In May 2010, the draft screening assessments for 10 substances, which included 2 site-restricted gas oils, were released and the related notices were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 144, No. 22 - May 29, 2010 for a 60-day public comment period.

Site-restricted heavy fuel oils

In September 2011, the final screening assessment for 7 substances was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 145, No. 36 - September 10, 2011.

The final screening assessment concluded that these 7 substances do not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA 1999, therefore the Ministers of the Environment and of Health proposed to take no further action on these substances at this time under the Act. No proposed risk management approach was prepared.

For the remaining heavy fuel oil substance in Stream 1 for which a draft screening assessment was released in May 2010, comments were received during the public comment period indicating that this substance (CAS RN 64742-90-1) may be transported to other industrial facilities and, as such, is not site-restricted. Therefore, this substance was assessed as part of Stream 4 of the Petroleum Sector Stream Approach.

In May 2010, the draft screening assessments for 10 substances, which included 8 site-restricted heavy fuel oils, were released and the related notices were published in the Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 144 No. 22 - May 29, 2010 for a 60-day public comment period.

Site-restricted low boiling point naphthas

In September 2011, the final screening assessment for 20 substances was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 145, No. 36 - September 10, 2011.

The final screening assessment concluded that these 20 substances do not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA 1999, therefore the Ministers of the Environment and of Health proposed to take no further action on these substances at this time under the Act. No proposed risk management approach was prepared.

In August 2010, the draft screening assessment for these substances was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 144 No. 33 - August 14, 2010 for a 60-day public comment period.

Site-restricted petroleum and refinery gases

In June 2013, the final screening assessment for 40 substances was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 147, No. 23 - June 1, 2013.

The final screening assessment concluded that these 40 substances meet one or more criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA 1999, therefore the Government added these substances to Schedule 1 of the Act. A proposed risk management approach was also released on this date for a 60-day public comment period.

In January 2011, the draft screening assessment for these substances was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 145 No. 3 - January 15, 2011. A risk management scope was also released in conjunction with this publication. There was a 60-day public comment period associated with these publications.