Hydrostatic testing required on Enbridge Line 9B before operation

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Jun 18, 2015, 08:09 ET

MONTREAL, June 18, 2015 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB) requires Enbridge to conduct hydrostatic testing on Line 9B to provide the necessary level of confidence in the pipeline's safe operation.

Before Line 9B becomes operational, hydrostatic testing results of three segments of the pipeline must be provided to and approved by the NEB. The segments are located around Hilton (Ontario), between Kingston and Brockville (Ontario) and Mirabel (Quebec). The number and location of the segments to be tested were identified by NEB professional engineers to provide the best results to validate existing data. The learnings gained will be applied, as appropriate, to the entire pipeline.

"With each project we regulate, and at each step of the process, public safety and the protection of the environment are our greatest priorities," says NEB Chair and CEO Peter Watson. "The public dialogue surrounding this project reiterates the necessity for the NEB to deliver on those priorities. Our expectation of companies is zero incidents and an unwavering commitment to safety."

Line 9B is located in a heavily urbanized area with a large number of waterways; any release would travel rapidly to the water systems and affect a large number of people. A higher degree of confidence in the integrity, or condition, of the pipeline is required to show that the pipeline is safe to operate. It will also provide useful data for tracking the condition of the pipeline over time while preserving the data already collected.

The NEB has also applied strict conditions through MO-045-2015 that include:

Enbridge must conduct biweekly ground patrols to inspect for pipeline leaks during the first two years of Line 9B operations.
Enbridge must conduct quarterly specialized pipeline integrity testing along the full length of Line 9 for the first two years of operation. Integrity test results must also be submitted to the NEB upon request.
Enbridge must conduct an additional internal, or in-line, inspection within the first year of operation. The company must submit results of this test to the NEB for review.

Conditions imposed by the NEB are legal requirements. Should Enbridge fail to remain in compliance with any conditions of approval throughout the full lifespan of the project, the NEB will take immediate action.

The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada's energy industry with the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment as its top priority. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest. For more information on the NEB and its mandate, please visit www.neb-one.gc.ca.