Spills and Releases

Our goal is to prevent all spills and leaks from our energy transportation and distribution systems. We carry out spill prevention and detection preventive maintenance programs as part of comprehensive integrity management of our pipelines and facilities. Our communication programs also keep property owners and neighbours along our rights-of-way informed about our system and enlist their help in the prevention, detection and safe response to pipeline spills.

Reportable Spills

Our impacts and performance

In 2005, Liquids Pipelines recorded 70 reportable liquid spills totaling 9,825 barrels from our transmission pipelines in Canada and the United States. However, the majority of those spills occurred and were contained within the bounds of our fenced industrial facilities (stations and terminals). Such locations typically have far more complex piping, valves, fittings and the like compared to our cross-country pipelines. The increase in leaks over the last five years is attributed to the growth and expansion of the Liquids Pipeline system. Nevertheless, our goal is zero releases and to minimize potential environmental impact should a release occur. That is why, in addition to rigorous system-wide integrity programs and processes, we have implemented additional focused programs including the Small Piping Integrity Program and spill containment enhancements, which are described in the Pipeline and System Integrity section of this report. (See the Pipeline and System Integrity page.)

Our United States Natural Gas Business recorded three reportable spills in 2005 totaling 48 barrels equivalent. Our gas pipelines and Enbridge Gas Distribution had no reportable spills. (A reportable spill is any spill reportable to a regulatory jurisdiction.)

In the case of any spill, we carry out emergency response procedures to immediately shut down the system, contain the spill and manage potential impacts to the environment and public safety. We also work closely with landowners, regulatory agencies and other concerned parties to develop remediation and monitoring plans, collecting as much of the product as possible and verifying that residual contaminants are appropriately managed.