ARCHIVED - Enbridge Pipeline Inc. - Control Centre Operation Compliance Verification

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Enbridge Pipeline Inc. - Control Centre Operation Compliance Verification [PDF 64 KB]

File OF-Surv-Gen 01
26 July 2012

Mr. Patrick D. Daniel
Chief Executive Officer
Enbridge Pipeline Inc.
3000 Fifth Avenue Place.
425 - 1st Street S.W.
Calgary, AB  T2P 3L8
Facsimile 403-231-3920

Dear Mr. Daniel:

Enbridge Pipeline Inc. (Enbridge) Control Centre Operation Compliance Verification

The National Energy Board (NEB) has reviewed the 10 July 2012 United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) synopsis report on an investigation of the Line 6B pipeline rupture near Marshall Michigan in July 2010.  The report is critical of the Enbridge Integrity Management Program, the Control Room Management Plan and emergency response capabilities.

The NEB holds companies accountable for results in the public interest and will take all necessary actions to protect the environment and the public. In this regard the NEB is notifying Enbridge that an inspection of its Edmonton Control Room as well as a meeting to assess implementation of relevant requirements of the Onshore Pipeline Regulations, 1999 (OPR) will occur on 8 and 9 August 2012. This activity is in addition to the twenty six compliance verification activities the NEB has scheduled for Enbridge companies for fiscal 2012-13.

Enbridge announced that changes have been made to a number of pipeline control and control centre operations. The NEB’s compliance verification activity will include, but will not be limited to, an assessment of the effectiveness of these changes in meeting OPR requirements in relation to:

  • the Pipeline Control System;
  • the Pipeline Integrity Management Program;
  • the Emergency Procedures Manual;
  • recent over-pressurization incident reports: and
  • the OPR and CSA requirement for management system processes to provide for the protection of people, property and the environment;

It is understood that the complete NTSB report will be available in several weeks.  The NEB will carefully review the report in its entirety once it is formally released. This may prompt additional follow-up compliance activities.

If there are any questions or comments regarding this letter or the proposed compliance verification activity you may contact; Doug Ochitwa at 403-299-2794 or via email at doug.ochitwa@cer-rec.gc.ca. These contacts may also be telephoned toll free at 1-800-899-1265.

Yours Truly,

Sheri Young
Secretary of the Board

cc: Mr. David Hoffman
Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
10201 Jasper Ave NW
Edmonton, AB  T5J 3N7
Facsimile 780-420-8749

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