Why is a maintenance dig initiated?

Transcription

1 Enbridge s Line 10 Maintenance digs A critical component in preventing pipeline incidents 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 maintenance or integrity digs are a critical component of our prevention program. $3.78 billion Between 2012 and 2014, we invested $3.78 billion on maintenance, inspection and leak detection across our crude oil pipeline infrastructure; this preventative maintenance program was the most extensive in the history of the North American pipeline industry. Why is a maintenance dig initiated? 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. Anomalies that have been known to require repair in the past include damage from thirdparty excavation, corrosion, cracking or denting. What happens during a maintenance dig and how long does it take? See the reverse of this fact sheet for a step-by-step depiction of the maintenance dig process. Depending on the results of the physical inspection, a maintenance dig can take from two days to two weeks to complete. If a maintenance dig is required, what will the community see? Communities can expect to see construction activities and additional traffic on local roads as we stage equipment and resources to support the maintenance dig. Traffic plans and appropriate signage will be in place if needed. How do you notify landowners of a maintenance dig? advance of any work being conducted. We ll then work with the landowner to arrange for land access, discuss estimated compensation for potential impacts, determine a preferred work schedule, review environmental and safety considerations, provide Enbridge contact information, address other questions and property-specific concerns. In certain areas, temporary workspace next to the permanent easement may be required for equipment or soil storage. If so, Enbridge will discuss arrangements with the landowner in advance of work activities. Our goal is to return all lands back to their original state once work is completed. In situations where the pipeline requires immediate attention and attempts to contact landowners in advance are unsuccessful access and work will proceed in order to minimize potential hazards. How does Enbridge protect the environment? We conduct an environmental assessment on all dig locations prior to starting work and develop measures to minimize or eliminate environmental impact. An assessment is also completed one year after site reclamation, to ensure the land has been returned to its original condition. An Enbridge representative will seek to contact the landowner a minimum of seven days in Cormorant Road Ancaster, Ontario L9G 4V5 Page 1 of 10

2 The Seven Steps of a Maintenance Dig 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 preventative maintenance dig to physically examine the integrity of the pipe segment and determine if a repair or other action is needed. Here are the steps involved in this critical maintenance process: 1 Marking the dig site Temporary markers identify the access route and location of the excavation. The area is stripped of topsoil, which is stored separately from the subsoil 2 Excavation Using machinery such as a backhoe, the subsoil surrounding the pipeline is carefully removed and stored 3 Cleaning and coating removal A crew cleans the pipe and removes its protective coating to prepare for a detailed visual inspection 4 Inspection Qualified technicians inspect the pipe to determine if repairs are required 5 6 Maintenance and repair If needed, repairs are made to the exposed section of pipe. These range from cleaning, to halt early signs of corrosion, to replacing sections of pipe. Once this work is complete, welds are tested and the section inspected to ensure repairs meet government and industry standards Recoating Once the pipe is repaired, it is recoated to protect against corrosion from water and soil 7 Backfill and cleanup The excavation is backfilled and the affected landscape restored. Depending on the time of year the work is completed, restoration may have to wait. The site will be monitored for about one year after project completion and additional remediation may be performed to ensure the landscape is fully restored Cormorant Road Ancaster, Ontario L9G 4V5 Page 2 of 10

3 Enbridge s Line 10 Safe pipelines, safe products The oil we transport must meet rigorous quality specifications Pipelines are the safest, most efficient and environmentally responsible method of transporting the petroleum-based products that we all use. The oil we transport, in Line 10 and all of our pipelines, must meet rigorous quality standards established by regulators, and we strictly enforce these standards. How do you know your pipelines are safe? Isn t oil from the oil sands corrosive? We use advanced inspection techniques, around-the-clock monitoring and leadingedge technology to ensure the fitness of all of our pipelines, including Line 10. Independent scientific studies report, unequivocally, that product from the Canadian oil sands has no internal corrosivity risk. We wouldn t risk our infrastructure investment if it did. What products are shipped through Line 10? Line 10 carries a variety of crude oils from Western Canada and the Bakken Region region (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Montana and North Dakota). How can I be sure Canada s pipeline system is safe? Canada has had rigorous pipeline rules and guidelines in place for more than 60 years leading to one of the most highly regulated and safest pipeline industries in the world Cormorant Road Ancaster, Ontario L9G 4V5 Page 3 of 10

4 Pipelines are the safest method of transporting the petroleum-based products that we all use. Seeking 100% safety Over the past decade, we ve transported more than 15 billion barrels of crude oil and liquids, with a safe delivery record of %. But we know that s not good enough. At Enbridge, we believe all incidents can be prevented and we re constantly seeking 100% safety. Safe pipelines Preventing incidents before they occur is a critical component of our ongoing commitment to safety. This means recognizing conditions that have been known to cause failures in the past including third-party excavation damage, external corrosion, and cracking or denting and then working to minimize the risk. It also means adopting the most advanced leak prevention technologies available, following environmentally sound construction practices and taking a proactive approach to training, inspection, testing and repair. As part of our prevention strategy, we regularly use in-line inspection tools that allow us to monitor the health of our pipeline systems from the inside out. Prevention activities also include anti-corrosion coatings, cathodic protection (application of a low-level electrical current), interior cleaning of pipes, aerial and ground patrols, and preventative maintenance inspections. Our Pipeline Control Center also monitors our system, using both human and automated resources on a continuous, 24/7 basis. We monitor our pipelines for possible leaks using numerous methods, each with a different focus and each using different technology, resources and timing. Together, these methods provide overlapping and layered leak detection capabilities. It would be illogical for an operator to risk its massive investment in pipeline infrastructure by transporting products with significant corrosion risk to pipeline steel. And in recent years, independent scientific studies have unequivocally reported that dilbit carries no internal corrosivity risk. Enbridge has never experienced an internal corrosion failure on our Mainline pipeline system. Since 2012, we ve spent $3.78 billion on maintenance, inspection and leak detection across our crude oil pipeline system. Safe regulatory environment Safe products The oil we transport must meet rigorous quality specifications as filed with the National Energy Board (NEB) and the U.S. regulator. Every batch of product entering the Enbridge Mainline system is tested by our lab technicians to ensure it meets quality specifications. These specifications for viscosity, density, temperature, volatility and sediment-and-water content are strictly enforced. Enbridge transports oil that comes from both conventional and unconventional production, including the Canadian oil sands, via our Mainline system to refineries across North America. Extensive regulation, at both the federal and provincial level, ensures the safe operation of Canadian pipelines. Canada has had pipeline rules and guidelines in place for more than 60 years leading to one of the most highly regulated and safest pipeline industries in the world. All aspects of the lifecycle of a pipeline from design and construction, to operation, to decommissioning are strictly regulated by multiple agencies and government departments tasked to ensure Canada s pipelines are operated in the public interest. Pipelines that cross provincial or federal boundaries, including Line 10, are regulated by the federal government, primarily under the authority of the NEB. We have been transporting crude oil from Canada s oil sands region since There is nothing new about transporting this form of crude oil, otherwise known as diluted bitumen or dilbit Cormorant Road Ancaster, Ontario L9G 4V5 Page 4 of 10

5 System-wide safety enhancements The Marshall incident, on July 26, 2010 in Marshall, Michigan, made a lasting impact on how Enbridge operates. The lessons we learned from this incident have ultimately made us a safer company. We ve since put in place a wide range of measures to enhance the safety and the reliability of our entire North American pipeline system. What Enbridge doing to keep its pipelines safe? Prevention is a key component of our commitment to pipeline safety. Since 2012, we ve conducted more than 9,700 verification digs and nearly 700 in-line inspections throughout our crosscontinent crude oil pipeline system. How do you stay in touch? Last year, we made 660 visits in Canada to municipal officials, first responders, and dispatchers and sent 816,000 public awareness brochures to our key U.S. stakeholders. What about the pipe itself? We have rigorous design and construction standards, and our specifications for pipe steel exceed industry demands. Our inspectors have unlimited access to our trusted partner s pipe mills throughout the entire manufacturing process. How much do you invest in safety? Since 2012, we ve spent $3.78 billion on system integrity and leak detection across our crude oil pipeline system. Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Suite st Street S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3L8 T (519) Page 5 of 10

6 Boosting safety across the board The safety of the public and the environment, and the operational reliability of our systems, will always be our Number One priority. As a result of the Marshall incident, we ve since put in place a wide range of measures to enhance the safety and the reliability of our entire North American pipeline system. We ve transported more than 15 billion barrels of crude oil and liquids over the past decade, with a safe delivery record of per cent. But we know that s not good enough. At Enbridge, we believe all incidents can be prevented, and we re constantly seeking 100-per-cent safety. Proactive in pipeline investment We ve intensified what was already an aggressive, proactive approach to pipeline integrity management. Over the past four years, through 2014, we: Conducted 9,733 verification digs across our crude oil and liquids pipeline system; and Conducted 698 in-line inspections across our crude oil and liquids pipeline system. Over the past three years, we ve spent $3.78 billion on system integrity and leak detection across our crude oil and liquids pipeline operations. That includes: $767 million in Canada, and $375 million in the U.S., in 2014; $900 million in Canada, and $645 million in the U.S., in 2013; and $469 million in Canada, and $624 million in the U.S., in Enbridge s investment in the safety and the reliability of our Liquids Pipelines system across North America has risen steadily in recent years. For comparison purposes: We spent $130,000 per billion barrel miles (a unit of measurement that signifies one barrel moved one mile) of pipeline from 2005 ; and We spent $880,000 per billion barrel miles of pipeline from 2010 through A greater focus on leak detection We ve established a Pipeline Control Systems and Leak Detection (PCSLD) department, nearly doubling the size of the Enbridge team dedicated to leak detection and pipeline control. This team included 130 members in 2011, and had expanded to more than 240 by the end of Some of this growth is related to Enbridge s overall growth as a company, but part of it is due to our increased focus on system integrity and leak detection. Control Center enhancements We ve added staff and enhanced organizational structures at our Control Center Operations (CCO), while also revising and enhancing all CCO procedures pertaining to decision making, pipeline startup and shutdown, leak detection system alarms, and communication protocols. A partnership true as steel Our specifications for pipeline steel exceed industry demands. We look for higher-quality pipe that undergoes more rigorous and more frequent testing. EVRAZ North America, which supplies the vast majority of our line pipe, has an equally firm commitment to pipeline safety. Our inspectors have unlimited access to EVRAZ facilities in Regina, Sask., Camrose, Alta., and Portland, Ore., through the entire manufacturing process. In March 2015, Enbridge and EVRAZ announced that the two companies will partner on a joint research and development program to enhance pipeline performance. Along with industry and academic institutions, EVRAZ and Enbridge will help to drive continuous improvements with the ultimate aim of optimizing industry-wide safety and reliability. Promoting public awareness We ve substantially reviewed and strengthened our Public Awareness programs in both the United States and Canada to inform the public about how to stay safe around our facilities and pipelines, and how to identify and report potential problems along our systems. Preparedness is key From 2012 through 2014, we ve invested more than $74 million in equipment and training to improve our overall emergency preparedness and response capacity both for existing operations and proposed projects. We also hold frequent exercises, simulations, drills and equipment employment events across our North American enterprise, as a way of bolstering our emergency response and preparedness efforts. From 2012 through 2014, we held 1,230 of these events in total to test and hone our readiness in the unlikely event of an incident 381 in 2012, 478 in 2013, and 371 more in We carried out more than 660 visits in 2014 to municipal officials, first responders, and dispatchers near our pipelines in Canada, in order to maintain relationships and review emergency preparedness information. In the U.S., we sent more than 816,000 brochures to key stakeholders near our pipelines in 2014, providing them with information about pipeline safety, showing them how to recognize and respond to a pipeline emergency, and ensuring they have the necessary contact information. Online, interactive training We ve launched a state-of-the-art, online interactive training program to help emergency responders and call center personnel quickly and effectively respond to a pipeline emergency. This online module complements our Emergency Responder Education Program, which offers free, unlimited training and pipeline emergency response tactics for emergency responders near our projects and operations. Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Suite st Street S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3L8 T (519) Page 6 of 10

7 Enbridge s Line 10 Pipeline construction: safety and the environment Safety and reliability are built into Enbridge s energy infrastructure before, during, and after the construction phase. We take care to limit our footprint, and actively manage potential effects on communities and the environment, as we build our pipeline projects. Building a pipeline, step by step Clearing the right-of-way Field surveys and staking Stripping and storing topsoil Stringing (placing pipe sections along the ROW) Bending Grading 7 Welding 9 Trenching 8 Coating 10 Lowering-in and backfilling 11 Hydrostatic testing Cleanup and Reclamation Field surveys and staking: Construction footprint surveys and field surveys are conducted along the proposed right-of-way (ROW). Depending on the project, we may use environmental field survey crews to evaluate and reroute around environmentally sensitive areas. Once the route is final, the location is marked with stakes. Clearing the right-of-way: To prepare for construction, crews mulch and/or clear and salvage trees, where warranted, along the ROW and temporary workspace. Stripping and storing topsoil: Careful consideration is taken when removing topsoil from the right-of-way. For biosecurity reasons, we take special care in agricultural areas to separate and store the topsoil and subsoil so they don t mix. Grading: Once topsoil has been stripped and stored to meet specifications, the subsoil along the ROW is graded to enable a safe pipeline installation. Stringing: Crews re-stake the center of the trench, and place (or string out ) sections of the pipe along the ROW. Bending: Crews bend the sections of pipe to match engineering specifications and follow the contours of the land. Welding: The pipe is welded into sections, and eventually one long segment, with each weld inspected via either X-ray or ultrasound technology. Coating: Pipes are coated with a robust corrosion inhibitor. Trenching: Crews use backhoes or wheel ditchers to dig a trench. Lowering-in and backfilling: Using multiple sidebooms (cranes), the pipe is lowered into the trench, and the trench is carefully backfilled and compacted with subsoil. Hydrostatic testing: Each section of pipe is filled with water and subjected to extreme operating pressures to ensure the strength of the pipe and the welds. Cleanup and reclamation: The ROW is restored to its original condition. Topsoil is replaced and reseeded; other restoration methods include tree planting and environmental monitoring. Page 7 of 10

8 Limiting our footprint As we plan and build our pipeline projects, we make every effort to limit our construction footprint. This includes: Using pre-existing rights-of-way, such as utility corridors, where possible Using horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technology, which involves drilling an underground arched tunnel, whenever possible to install underground pipelines across large rivers or sensitive crossings Working closely, and continuously, with regulatory agencies, and complying at all times with all environmental requirements Using existing access routes to and from construction sites, minimizing temporary workspace, and limiting ground disturbance Staying safe on the roads During construction, residents can expect to see an increase in Enbridge traffic heavy-haul vehicles, buses and crew trucks on highways, secondary highways and rural township roads. To manage traffic volume and ensure public and worker safety, we make sure to: Develop a traffic accommodation plan to minimize impacts to community residents Move heavy equipment across roads during off-peak hours Bus crews to and from the construction site where possible Actively communicate with the local community on any disruptions to normal traffic patterns Pay strict adherence to mandated noise limits Install and maintain proper signage at work sites, road and temporary access crossings Build protective structures to prevent damage to road surfaces and facilitate equipment and truck crossings Habitat restoration Following construction, we minimize our long-term impact to the land along our pipelines. Our habitat restoration methods include: Reclamation, including soil replacement, seeding, and tree planting Environmental monitoring and mitigation Follow-up landowner outreach For more information, please visit enbridge.com Page 8 of 10

9 Our approach to safety and emergency response Modern-day preventative maintenance and inspection technology make incidents, particularly large events, highly unlikely. However, in the event of a leak near the Line 10 Westover Segment Replacement Project, Enbridge personnel have robust have robust and tested emergency response expertise, training, and equipment to ensure a quick and effective response. How does Enbridge stay prepared for an incident? In 2014, we held 371 drills, exercises, and equipment deployments across our company to boost our emergency response preparedness. Do you have an actual plan in the case of an emergency? We are regularly updating our emergency response plans, which govern our response for all types of situations, and sharing them with local first responders. Do you invest in emergencyresponse training? From 2012 to 2014, Enbridge invested more than $74 million in equipment and training to improve our overall emergency preparedness and response capacity. Do you keep in touch with first responders? In 2014, we made more than 660 visits across Canada to municipal officials, first responders, and dispatchers to maintain relationships and review emergency preparedness information. Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Suite st Street S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3L8 T (519) Page 9 of 10

10 A multi-layered approach to safety Enbridge s top priorities are the safety of people, protection of the environment, and the operational reliability of our pipeline systems. Emergency response is just one facet of our multilayered approach to pipeline and facility safety, which includes rigorous design and construction standards, pipeline integrity management, 24/7 system monitoring, inline inspections, and leak detection. We invest heavily each year in the tools, technologies, and strategies to ensure our pipelines operate safely, reliably, and in an environmentally responsible manner. Responding quickly and effectively Our state-of-the-art Pipeline Control Centre provides continuous monitoring and control of our liquids pipelines across North America 24 hours a day, 365 days a year using both human and automated resources. In the unlikely event of a leak, Enbridge has the emergency response equipment, training, and expertise to respond quickly and effectively. If a release were to occur, our Control Centre would close remotely controlled sectionalizing valves immediately upon detection of a problem, with full closure occurring within three minutes of activation to isolate the affected section. We would also rapidly dispatch a trained response team, including environmental crews who have a strong understanding of the products we transport. Under the oversight of federal agencies, Enbridge would then clean and restore the affected areas to avoid long-term impact to landowners, residents, and the environment. Enbridge personnel have an around-the-clock, on-call protocol in place for rapid response to incidents. Maximizing our preparedness We have tailored and detailed emergency response plans that govern our response for all types of situations. These plans consider all of the factors that influence the behavior and potential impact of a release including drinking water, flow of running water, air emissions, wildlife and animal livestock, and shoreline impacts. As part of the National Energy Board s regulatory process, Enbridge will update emergency response plans to ensure use of the best available prevention and response systems. We will collaborate with local municipalities and their emergency responders to ensure these plans meet local needs and concerns. A quick and effective response is grounded in being prepared. Enbridge employees in Canada and the U.S. participate in regular emergencyresponse drills and simulations, many of them involving local first responder groups, to test and improve our preparedness procedures. In 2014, we staged 371 drills, exercises and equipment deployments across our company to help us prepare to respond safely and effectively in the event of an incident. Since 2012, we ve also invested about $50 million on new response equipment, ranging from boom to boats, and deployed them across our systems. Online, interactive training We ve launched a state-of-the-art, online interactive training program to help emergency responders and call center personnel quickly and effectively respond to a pipeline emergency. This online module complements our Emergency Responder Education Program, which offers free, unlimited training and pipeline emergency response tactics for emergency responders near our projects and operations. Response resources in the region Enbridge has regional emergency response plans in place that identify control points along all our pipeline rights-of-way. In the case of any emergency, we can draw upon considerable combined resources in the area of the Line 10 Westover Segment Replacement Project. Enbridge has significant supplies of equipment and resources near the Line 10 rightof-way at Westover, and these resources can be moved and concentrated at any point along the line to support a response. Enbridge also employs and has access to key contract responding resources and personnel in the region, including Quantum Murray and the Eastern Canadian Response Corporation. Enbridge also maintains an emergency response directory for the region that is regularly updated for cross-border procedures and operations if they are required. Enbridge meets annually with first responders, including police, fire, and EMS, along the right-of-way to review Enbridge response procedures, and identify roles and responsibilities of external responders who would support Enbridge in the unlikely event of an incident. In 2014, we completed more than 660 visits in Canada with municipal officials, first responders, and dispatchers near our pipelines to maintain relationships and review emergency preparedness information. Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Suite st Street S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3L8 T (519) Page 10 of 10