IMPROVING SAFETY MAINSTAY OF PIPELINE INDUSTRY
Canada’s 115,000-kilometre network of transmission pipelines comes with a 60-year history and an unmatched safety record.
The expansion of transmission pipelines began in the 1950s with the discovery of crude oil and natural gas in the west, and growth of that network continues today, with new proposals, line reversals and expansions intended to serve national, North American and global markets. Many of these proposals, including Energy East, Trans Mountain, Northern Gateway, Line 9 and Keystone XL, are prominent in the media where discussion focuses on safety, market access and environmental impacts.
Brenda Kenny, president and CEO of the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA), speaks about how the transmission pipeline industry is driving collaboration, innovation and action on safety.
Q Why are pipelines so important to Canada?
A Pipelines are critical infrastructure that allows us to transport needed energy product domestically and internationally. Canada deserves the best prices for its natural resources. The current lack of access to global markets is costing billions in lost value that could benefit all Canadians. It’s also about energy security and providing Eastern Canada a choice in where their energy is sourced. Finally, as we transition to a greener energy future, we have the opportunity to access the prosperity that will help get us there. It’s not an either/or— wec an reach this goal together.
Q How is your industry responding to heightened public interest in pipelines?
A A key response is through collaboration. When it comes to issues that are important to Canadians, such as safety, collaboration is demonstrated by theone member company’s incident is everyone’s incident. Beyond emergency response, increased collaboration is also being seen int he adoption of new best practices and continued commitment to CEPA Integrity First, a program where CEPA member companies work together to define and implement collective best practices and leading-edge technology to advance safety and help the industry continue its progress along a sustainable path. We’re also responding by engaging Canadians, providing answers to questions and working to build enduring trust.
QA re there increasing opportunities
to collaborate?
A More than ever our member companies are coming together to collaborate. In 2013, CEPA members signed a Mutual Emergency Assistance Agreement (MEAA) that formalizes an existing practice of companies lending critical resources to each other in an emergency. In September 2014, we put MEAA to the test in our first joint emergency management exercise. We also collaborate through CEPA Integrity First, which allows our members to jointly develop best industry practices in areas such as safety and the environment. Integrity First currently focuses on pipeline integrity and emergency management. We track our industry’s collective performance in these areas and then will report on how we’re doing. The goal of Integrity First is zero incidents.
Q How much of Canada’s hydrocarbons are transported via pipeline?
A The system carries all natural gas and the majority of liquids from heavy crude to light liquids. Asmall portion of liquids is carried by rail and truck. Toreplace the current daily volume of oil transported via pipeline by CEPA members, it would take about 4,200 rail cars or 15,000 tanker trucks.
Q Who regulates pipeline
operations?
A Pipelines ina single province are regulated by provincial bodies. Pipelines that cross provincial or international borders are regulated by the National Energy Board.
Q Formany, pipelines are simply large steel tubes. Is there more to it than that?
A Yes. There are many aspects to pipelines, most notably that they are critical infrastructure that run at least a metre underground. Large pumps and compressors, at roughly 50- to100-kilometre intervals, push liquid products and natural gas throughthe tube. Sophisticated coatings are applied to protect the line, sensors monitor activity and valves at various locations close the line automatically or manually.
Q How are leaks and other structural issues monitored in this closed environment?
A Pipelines are monitored 24/7 using highly sophisticated systems that detect the smallest variation in line operation. Operators are dispatched to undertake repairs or shut downthe line if required. Companies also conduct aerial surveillance, often flying over pipeline systems weekly. Additionally, internal line inspections, using instruments similar to CAT scans and MRIs, known as pipeline pigs, inspect pipelines from the inside to identify changes such as dents or wall thinning that could threaten the integrity of the pipeline.
Q How do you respond to critics who question the safety of hydrocarbon transportation by pipeline?
A Safety is our number one priority. Critical attention is always given to risk factors such as proximity of populations, environmentally sensitive areas and closeness to waterbodies. Extraprecautions are implemented in these cases such as strategic placement of mainline valves, automation of valves for quick shutdown, extra strength or thicker wallpipe, and more leak detection sensors. It’s important to note that Canada’s safety record is second to none in the world and that our standards are internationally
recognized because theyare extensive and part of provincial andfederal regulations.
Q Yet spills do happen. Whois responsible for clean up and the associated costs?
A We believe in the polluter-pay-principle. The operator is fully responsible andwill completely resolve and pay for the entire cleanup of an incident. We fully support the federal government’s steps toward liability and a proposed pipeline safety act allowing them to step in should a company be unable to respond. However, that has never happened, andwe don’t intend for it to happen.
Q In the event of aspill, what steps must pipeline operators take?
A Before apipeline is active, an emergency response plan appropriate to the operating environment must be in place. The plan must identify trained personnel and equipment along the entire route. Through MEAA, we respond to any incident collectively. The emergency plan is activated, the situation is monitored and evaluated, and prompt action is takento contain, clean up and, if necessary, remediate the area. Canadais the only country in the world where this type of collaborative approach exists for pipeline safety.
Q Many of Canada’s pipelines were built several decades ago. Are they still safe?
A Yes. Thepipeline industry has an incredible safety record spanning six decades. Like our homes, age is not the only factor determining health. Building and maintenance play key roles. A great deal of science and technology is used to ensure pipelines are properly monitored and maintained. We knowwhat’s going on inside each one.
Q What role does technology play in reducing risk?
A Technology plays animportant role in reducing risk as the evolution of pipeline technology parallels advancements in pipeline safety and involves improvements to just about every aspect of pipelines, including standards, materials, pipe making, pipe joining, corrosion control, maintenance, inspection and leak detection.
Q What are someof the innovations in the works?
A We’re increasingly looking at detection techniques to enhance response time. For example, fibre optics are being tested to monitor pipeline rights-of-way24/7. The goal is to receive early warnings when potentially dangerous activity, such as digging, is taking place in an area. Another technology, fitted to the under side of an airplane, is being tested to detect unexpected methane in the air that may indicate a small leak in anatural gas line.
Q How does Canada compare to other countries in terms of technological innovation?
A We compare well to other countries. Our pipeline operators are very sophisticated when it comes to technological innovation. For example, our universities have the highest proportion of pipeline researchers in the world andour industry work shard to support them. We also have a numerous innovators focused on accelerating safety solutions. For example, Calgary-based Pure Technologies is testing a small listening device to detect hissing sounds suggestive of a small leak.