A whole new approach to natural gas pipeline safety
Enbridge implements improved safety measures following Shelley pipeline incident
At Enbridge, safety is our number one priority. We operate a safe and reliable natural gas pipeline system.
Following the Shelley pipeline incident in British Columbia (B.C.) on Oct. 9, 2018, Enbridge took a series of decisive steps to further validate and improve the safety of our natural gas pipeline system in the province. These steps are part of an improved approach to pipeline safety and an ongoing commitment to continually improve the safety of our pipeline system.
Highlights of these safety measures include:
Pipeline pressure reductions
- We lowered the operating pressure of the natural gas pipeline system in B.C. to create an extra margin of safety.
- With that extra margin of safety in place, we began detailed, system-wide engineering assessments and inspections to further validate the safety of the pipeline system.
Pipeline inspections
- We began system-wide pipeline inspections using high-tech tools run inside the pipeline, that use leading image and sensor technology, to detect potential problems like stress corrosion cracking. These inline pipeline inspections where completed in July 2019.
- Complementing this work, we excavated sections of pipe to perform additional inspections. By November 2019, we will have nearly doubled the number of dig inspections undertaken in a typical maintenance year.
- This work goes well beyond the industry standard in terms of comprehensiveness.
Integrity program evaluation and improvements
- We began an intensive assessment of our integrity program to identify areas of improvement and to implement those improvements.
- We hired a leading independent pipeline risk management company to assist with that work and provide additional expertise.
- While this evaluation work is ongoing, we’ve identified several changes we’re making, including conducting pipeline inspections more frequently using inspection tools that undertake more detailed and thorough pipe examinations, as well as improved screening criteria to evaluate and schedule maintenance work.
Enbridge has received a Safety Advisory letter from the Transportation Safety Board. Enbridge has already implemented several measures to further improve pipeline safety, including undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the entire T-South system with a particular focus on stress corrosion cracking and implementing improved screening criteria to evaluate and schedule maintenance work. This involves a more conservative approach to identify areas that may require maintenance earlier. These measures are part of an ongoing commitment to safety to help make a safe pipeline system even safer.
At Enbridge, no incident is acceptable—ever. When an incident does occur, we take quick and decisive action. Our goal is to continually improve the safety of our pipeline systems by making effective changes to do just that.
