NEB Orders Engineering Assessment of Norman Wells Pipeline (NNSL)

Enbridge reports fourth leak along Norman Wells pipeline

NEB ordering engineering assessment

Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Saturday, March 30, 2013NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

A fourth leak discovered along the Enbridge Pipeline in a two-month period has sparked the National Energy Board to order an engineering assessment. With nearly 1,000 cubic metres of oil spilled from the pipeline since February 2011, the Dehcho grand chief is calling for the line to be replaced. 

Contaminated soil was found at two sites along the Norman Wells pipeline the week of Feb. 4. Workers have excavated about 30 cubic metres of soil at the first site, which is about 60 kilometres west of Fort Simpson. - photo courtesy of Enbridge

The National Energy Board has ordered Enbridge Pipeline Inc. to perform an engineering assessment on the Wrigley to Mackenzie section of the Norman Wells pipeline.

The order came after Enbridge reported another leak on March 19. It is the fourth reported leak since the beginning of February.

NEB spokesperson Rebecca Taylor said the assessment is part of a special order issued by the board.

“The board remains concerned about the recent discoveries of small leak sites on Line 21,” she said. “That’s why the board has issued the amending order to Enbridge and required them to take additional action.”
The order requires an engineering assessment, due by June 30, and an assessment of the company’s leak detection methods, which is due on April 5. The assessment will evaluate “the fitness-for-service of the line Section from a leak-dependent perspective,” the order stated.

The order was addressed to Enbridge’s president and chief executive officer, Al Monaco, and was signed by NEB Secretary Sheri Young.

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