What are the signs of a pipeline emergency?
Because of Enbridge's thorough maintenance, testing, monitoring, training and safety programs, a leak from a pipeline or facility is unlikely. In the unlikely event of a pipeline leak, one or any combination of the items listed below, on or near the right-of-way, can typically help you recognize a leak.
Please call the toll-free, 24-hour Enbridge emergency number in your area, or an emergency number that you see on a pipeline marker, if you believe a pipeline leak is in progress.
You might see:
- colored liquid on the ground
- flames, if gas or a leak has ignited
- oily, rainbow-like sheen on water surfaces
- continuous bubbling in wet areas, or at a pond, creek or river
- discolored snow, or dead/dying/discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area
- a steam-like cloud or fog
- unexpected frost buildup on the ground (specific to NGLs)
- dirt being blown or appearing to be thrown into the air (specific to NGLs)
- a dry area in a wet field (specific to NGLs)
- a white vapor stream or mist-like cloud over the pipeline (specific to NGLs)
You might hear:
- an unusual roaring, blowing, hissing or loud whistling sound
You might smell:
- an unusual odor similar to diesel fuel, gasoline, sulfur, or rotten egg
- odorized pipelines: an unusual sulfur or rotten egg odor
- unodorized pipelines: a slight smell similar to diesel fuel or oil
Most natural gas has a naturally occurring slight petroleum smell similar to diesel, oil or propane. However, typically when natural gas is distributed into homes and businesses the distributor adds an odorant to enhance the smell of the gas to make it easier to detect a potential leak.
