Our Environmental Performance

PIPELINE & SYSTEM INTEGRITY

Over the years, pipelines have proved to be the safest, most efficient way to transport petroleum products. Our ongoing monitoring and maintenance programs contribute to that safe operation. At Enbridge, we endeavor to be a leader in pipeline and system integrity by:

• implementing rigorous preventive maintenance programs
• pursuing and supporting technology research
• participating in industry forums to share and exchange knowledge
• contributing to the development of national pipeline safety standards and industry-recommended practices
• supporting state and provincial excavation one-call efforts to reduce the risk of third party damage to pipelines

By maintaining these obligations, we maintain high standards of operating and EH&S performance and contribute to public confidence in our systems.

OUR PERFORMANCE

Broadening system integrity in Liquids Pipelines

Many federal regulations governing our liquids pipelines operations in Canada and the United States focus on integrity issues. In 2004, to bring greater consistency in our cross-border approach to system integrity, Liquids Pipelines combined various groups into a new department of system integrity to oversee pipeline integrity, facility integrity (covering stations and terminals, and risk management) and compliance. This department will track changing pipeline regulations, advise staff on improvements and promote the sharing of best practices. As one of its first tasks, System Integrity developed a risk-based model in 2004 to assess spill containment sites across our U.S. and Canadian Liquids Pipelines system. A total of $2 million was invested in improvements and upgrades at eight terminals and stations in the United States. We also carried out a flange integrity program, excavating and testing about 1,600 underground flange connections across the system.

Inspecting gas distribution pipe in Toronto

Our Enbridge Gas Distribution system is fully in compliance with Ontario's new pipeline integrity regulations. A plan has been initiated for conducting a baseline inspection of our distribution mains over the next decade. This plan sets out an inspection schedule based on a risk-based list of high stress pipe. In 2004, we began inspecting 35 kilometres (22 miles) of high stress distribution pipe in downtown Toronto, using new alternative inspection tools. One of the challenges of distribution systems is that most distribution pipe was not designed for new in-line inspection tools. We are partnering with a local vendor to modify the alternative inspection tool, which uses magnetic levels to detect weaknesses in the pipe, for use in our distribution system.

INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT IN THE U.S.

Direct assessment methodology approved in U.S.

Our U.S. Natural Gas Business validated and obtained government approval for our "direct assessment" pipeline safety inspection methodology (used when hydrostatic testing or internal inspections are not practical on segments of the pipeline). This methodology was the first to be approved by the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates pipeline safety in Texas.

Painting, Coating and Lining Manual

In 2004, the U.S. Natural Gas Business developed a new Painting, Coating and Lining Manual for its onshore and offshore facilities. The manual provides guidance on proper selection of painting, coating and lining systems, minimum qualification requirements for painting, coating and lining systems, applicator qualifications and inspector qualifications.

Facility Integrity Management

U.S. regulators require that all industrial facilities, which store over 1,300 gallons of an oil product, must have a spill prevention control and countermeasures (SPCC) plan. In 2004, we established a new spill management system throughout our U.S. Natural Gas Business to meet these requirements. Starting in 2005, a new requirement of the regulations also requires all storage tanks to be evaluated for system integrity. Currently, our U.S. Natural Gas Business operates about 800 storage tanks.

In 2004, the U.S. Natural Gas Business developed a facility integrity management plan to comply with facility integrity management regulations. The plan is based on API Standard 653 Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction; API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: Maintenance Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration; and API 570 Piping Inspection Code: Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Re-rating of In-service Piping Systems. The plan incorporates a risk management system for liquid storage facilities. To comply with the new SPCC requirements, we will introduce a new integrity program in 2005 to test and manage facilities subject to these new requirements.

Pipeline Integrity Management

In 2004, the U.S. Natural Gas Business developed an integrity management plan to comply with new regulations requiring operator develop integrity management programs for gas transmission pipelines located where a leak or rupture could do the most harm. The rule requires gas transmission pipeline operators to perform ongoing assessments of pipeline integrity, to improve data collection, integration, and analysis, to repair and remediate the pipeline as necessary, and to implement preventive and mitigative actions. No later than December 17, 2004, operators were to develop and follow a written integrity management program that contains all the elements described in the rule and that addresses the risks on each covered transmission pipeline segment.

To comply with the new regulations, the U.S. Natural Gas Business in 2004 identified pipeline segments that are located in high consequence areas; integrated available data on those identified pipeline segments; prioritized the highest risk pipeline segments from available data on those identified segments; selected the assessment method best suited to assess (pressure-test, internal inspection devices, direct assessment, or alternative method) each high risk pipeline segment; and began its preparation to conduct a baseline assessment on at least one high risk segment.

Enbridge Gas Distribution's efforts to bring about lasting changes in the consumer market in favor of DSM products were recognized in 2004 when we received the prestigious 2004 Energy Star "Utility of the Year Award" from Natural Resources Canada. The awards recognize Canadian Energy Star participants offering the most energy efficient products, technologies or services to consumers. Enbridge Gas Distribution was recognized for its leadership in overcoming market barriers, changing consumer behavior, increasing product availability and ensuring sustainable market demand for high efficiency residential gas furnaces and boilers. When it comes to high efficiency residential gas furnaces and boilers, the Energy Star logo plays a prominent role in Enbridge Gas Distribution's marketing campaigns and promotional initiatives. Enbridge Gas Distribution works closely with select heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors across Ontario, encouraging them to choose and install Energy Star products, wherever possible. Bill inserts, advertising campaigns and Enbridge Gas Distribution's website are used to help raise customer awareness. To make high efficiency equipment more attractive and affordable, Enbridge Gas Distribution partnered with Natural Resources Canada to offer a $200 rebate on the purchase and installation of an Energy Star qualified gas heating system. The company also joined forces with HVAC manufacturers and dealers to boost this rebate by an additional $150 for units purchased in the off-season. These efforts have paid off, with the number of participants choosing high efficiency equipment doubling over the period 2002 to 2003.

^ top of page

At Enbridge, there are no dividing lines between good business practices and being a responsible company — one that is ethical, is a steward of the environment, is safe, engages its stakeholders and is attentive to social needs.

more...