National Energy Board issues Inspection Officer Order to Enbridge

News Release
For Immediate Release

October 10, 2018 – Calgary – National Energy Board

The National Energy Board (NEB) has issued an Inspection Officer Order to Enbridge directing the company to reduce the operating pressure, on an interim basis, of its 30 inch Mainline natural gas pipeline which was shut down as a precautionary measure on October 9 when there was a natural gas release and fire on Enbridge’s 36 inch Loop. The 30 inch Mainline runs parallel to the Loop.

Enbridge will be able to re-start the 30 inch Mainline at the reduced operating pressure. At a later date, the company can apply to resume operation at the licenced pressure of the pipeline.

The 36 inch Loop natural gas pipeline, which was damaged during the sweet gas release and fire, will only be permitted to resume operation when the NEB is satisfied that Enbridge has demonstrated that it can be operated safely. At that time, the company will also be required to operate the pipeline at a reduced pressure in compliance with the conditions of the Inspection Officer Order.

The NEB continues to monitor and oversee the company’s response to the natural gas release and fire. The NEB’s Emergency Operations Centre in Calgary remains activated and six NEB staff have been deployed to the site of the incident.

The NEB’s priority in any emergency is to make sure that people are safe and that property and the environment are protected. The NEB will remain on site to verify that all necessary actions are being taken to protect workers, the public and the environment.

Associated Links

The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada’s energy industry. It regulates pipelines, energy development and trade in the public interest with safety as its primary concern. For more information on the NEB and its mandate,please visit the National Energy Board website.

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Contacts

Chantal Macleod
Communications Officer
Canada Energy Regulator
Email: chantal.macleod@cer-rec.gc.ca
Telephone: 403-966-5036
Telephone: 403-292-4800
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5503
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803

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