Before you Start

Before you start any project involving ground disturbance, you need to identify the location of buried pipelines and other infrastructure within the proposed work area.  The approximate location and type of pipeline present within the proposed work area will be identified during our visit.  Visit our Click Before You Dig page for more information. 

If the proposed excavation is within 30 meters of a high-pressure pipeline Contact Us prior to the start of work. One of our technicians is required to be present on site during excavation and backfilling activities around the pipeline. A crossing agreement is required for all high pressure pipeline excavations.

Exposing the Pipeline

• The pipeline must be exposed by hand before the use of mechanical excavation equipment within:
  • 1 meter of distribution mains & service pipelines; and
  • 5 meters of high pressure pipelines.
• Mechanical equipment must not be used within 30 cm of the pipeline.
• There must be at least thirty 30 centimetres clearance between the bottom of our pipeline(s) and the top of the crossing pipeline(s) or works.

For more information on pipeline excavation regulations and procedures please visit:

• National Energy Board (Pipeline Damage Prevention)
• Alberta Energy Regulator (Safe Excavation Near Pipelines)
• Government of Alberta Department of Labour (Section 448 Exposing Buried Facilities)
• Government of Alberta Department of Labour (Part 32 Excavating and Tunnelling)