Enbridge responds to third party pipeline strike in Strathcona County, Alberta



Line 2A resumes normal operations

Information Update: March 10, 2017

Enbridge’s Line 2A pipeline, which runs from Edmonton to Cromer, MB, has safely resumed normal operations.

Enbridge continues to work cooperatively with regulators, TransCanada and its contractor, Ledcor to investigate the Feb. 17 line strike that resulted in a release of condensate, which was contained in a construction excavation site.

Remediation planning is underway and will be done in accordance with Enbridge’s practices and all regulatory requirements.


Repairs Completed

Information Update: March 7, 2017. 4:30 PM MST

Enbridge has completed repairs and the Line 2A pipeline is expected to safely resume normal operations by March 10. The repairs involved replacing the segment damaged as a result of a third-party line strike. The line strike occurred during construction activity in Enbridge’s right of way that was unrelated to Enbridge.

Enbridge continues to work cooperatively with regulators, TransCanada and its contractor, Ledcor to investigate this incident. Revised volumes of condensate released have been reported to the NEB as 961 m3, following excavation of the site.

Enbridge crews remain fully mobilized on clean-up and planning is underway for remediation of the site, which is privately owned industrial land in Strathcona Country near Enbridge’s storage terminal in a shared pipeline right of way.


Recovery and Clean-Up Progresses

Information Update: February 21, 2017. 4:30 PM MST

Enbridge has made significant progress in its recovery of condensate that escaped following a third-party strike on Enbridge’s Line 2A pipeline, due to construction activity unrelated to Enbridge but crossing its right of way in Strathcona County, Alberta on Feb. 17, 2017.

The excavation pit where the recovered product was contained has been emptied using vacuum trucks. The product has been transported to Enbridge’s nearby terminal and placed into operational storage tanks. Crews remain fully mobilized on site to undertake clean-up of the impacted area.

Protection of the public, the environment and Enbridge employees remain our top priorities. Air quality monitoring continues and there is no impact to public safety. Enbridge is working cooperatively with regulators and third parties to address this situation in the most efficient manner possible and with the least amount of impact to the community.

The clean-up effort will continue over the coming days followed by repairs to the pipeline. Site remediation planning is underway and will be done in compliance with regulatory requirements and company environmental policies and procedures.

Line 2A between Edmonton and Hardisty remains shut down. All other pipelines have resumed normal safe operation.


Recovery and Clean-Up Underway

Information Update: February 19, 2017. 1:15 PM MST

Enbridge remains focused on responding and recovering condensate that escaped following a third-party strike on Enbridge’s Line 2A pipeline, due to construction activity unrelated to Enbridge but crossing its right of way in Strathcona County, Alberta on Feb. 17, 2017. TransCanada and its contractor Ledcor were doing construction work in the immediate area at the time of the incident.

Protection of the public, the environment and Enbridge employees remain our top priorities and crews are fully mobilized on site and working around the clock to actively manage recovery and initiate clean-up. Volumes in the excavation pit where the product was contained are being significantly reduced as it's recovered by vacuum trucks on site. The product is being transported to Enbridge’s nearby terminal, where it is being put into operational storage tanks.

Enbridge is working with regulators and third parties to address the situation and keep the community updated. Air quality monitoring continues and there is no risk to public safety.

The recovery effort will continue over the coming days followed by repairs to the pipeline; site remediation planning is underway and will be done in compliance with regulatory requirements and company environmental policies and procedures.

Line 2A between Edmonton and Hardisty remains shut down. All other pipelines have resumed normal safe operation.


Information Update: February 18, 2017. 2:40 PM MST

Enbridge is actively responding and working to recover light crude oil condensate released from Line 2A following a third-party line strike that occurred on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. The initial estimate of volume out is 200 cubic meters.

Protection of the environment and the public are our first priorities and we are focused on response and recovery of the product. Equipment is mobilized on site and crews are working around the clock to actively manage recovery and initiate clean-up.

The line strike took place during construction activity by a third party contractor, unrelated to Enbridge but crossing Enbridge’s Right of Way. The construction activity was being done by TransCanada Pipelines and its contractor Ledcor.

Enbridge is working with regulators and third parties to address the situation and keep the community updated.

All released product has been contained to an excavation pit where the work was being done. The site is privately owned industrial land in Strathcona Country, south of the Enbridge Edmonton Terminal and we are in contact with the owner.

There have been no injuries associated with this incident. Air quality is being monitored and there is no impact to public safety.

With the exception of Line 2A and Line 67 from Edmonton to Hardisty, all lines have resumed safe and normal operations.

The incident is under investigation.


Questions and Answers

What caused the leak?

There was line strike that took place during construction activity by a third party contractor, unrelated to Enbridge but crossing Enbridge’s Right of Way. The construction activity was being done by TransCanada Pipelines and its contractor Ledcor.

There have been no injuries associated with this incident. Air quality is being monitored and there is no impact to public safety.

How fast was the response? How quickly did you shut the line down?

The response was immediate in accordance with Enbridge’s leak detection systems. Enbridge’s pipeline control center immediately shutdown Line 2A, along with our other pipelines in the area as a precaution. Enbridge’s incident response teams took prompt action to take control of the site. Enbridge is leading the recovery and clean-up efforts.

Enbridge is working with regulators and third parties to address the situation and keep the community updated.

How big is the leak? What product was spilled?

At this time, we are estimating 200m3. The product that was released is light crude oil condensate and all of the product is contained to an excavation pit at the site, which is privately owned industrial land.

What was the impact? Was there any water or wildlife affected?

Protection of the environment and the public are our first priorities and we are focused on response and recovery of the product. Equipment is mobilized on site and crews are working around the clock to actively manage recovery and initiate clean-up.

There is no impact to public safety and we are working to minimize any environmental impact. Air quality monitoring has been initiated and there is no risk to public safety.

Where did the third party strike to Line 2A happen?

The incident occurred near Anthony Henday Highway and 92 Avenue in Strathcona County, Alberta, within Enbridge’s right of way. All of the product has been contained to an excavation pit where the work was being done. The site is privately owned industrial land in Strathcona Country, south of the Enbridge Edmonton Terminal and we are in contact with the owner.

Are any other lines shut down? For how long?

All lines in the immediate area were shut down until confirmation that Line 2A was the source of the leak.

With the exception of Line 2A and Line 67 from Edmonton to Hardisty, all lines have resumed safe and normal operations.

What are Enbridge’s next steps for this response?

A site-specific contaminated soil remediation plan is being developed. There is no risk for public safety. We will continue to monitor air quality in the area.

The incident is under investigation.