What is a preventative maintenance dig?
Our goal at Enbridge is, and will always be, the prevention of all incidents. Prevention is a key element of our multi-layered approach to pipeline and facility safety—and preventative maintenance digs are a critical component of our prevention program.
Sophisticated inspection tools monitor both the interior and exterior of our pipes. When data from these inspections indicate a change, or anomaly, that requires a closer look, we undertake a maintenance dig to physically examine the integrity of the pipe segment and determine if a repair or other action is needed.
Typically, a preventative maintenance dig involves marking the dig site, excavation, cleaning and coating removal, inspection, maintenance and repair, recoating, backfill and cleanup.
Sometimes we find that no repair is needed, but each of these preventative maintenance digs adds to our overall knowledge about the line’s condition.
