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

The Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulations (Petroleum Sector) is a set of regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. These regulations aim to reduce the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from facilities that produce liquid petroleum products or petrochemical products.

The regulations apply to facilities that produce liquid petroleum products by means of processing crude oil or bitumen, and those that produce petrochemical products in an integrated way with a facility adjacent to it. Facilities subject to the regulations must establish and maintain a leak detection and repair program to control the release of VOCs from equipment components.

The regulations require operators to list certain equipment components in their inventory, including those that are normally operated at an internal pressure below ambient pressure or located underground. The inventory must include information such as the component's identification number, type, process unit, location, and designation "unsafe to inspect" if necessary.

Leak detection instruments used by facilities subject to the regulations must meet specific requirements set out in EPA Method 21 and EPA Method 325A. These instruments must be calibrated before use, maintained according to manufacturer specifications, and operated to detect leaks of VOCs.

Equipment components must be inspected for leaks three times per calendar year using a leak detection instrument or visually if the component is a heavy-liquid component. Components designated as "difficult to inspect" must be inspected once per calendar year, starting in 2027.