CANADA'S NED PLANS TO PROBE PIPELINE LEAKS

Canadas National Energy Board has detailed the scope of its probe of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in oil and gas pipelines. The board disclosed preliminary plans for its probe last month after a pipeline rupture and explosion occurred in Manitoba (OGJ, Aug. 21, p. 32). Earlier, SCC drew the blame for seven explosions on the TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. system since 1985. An NEB investigating panel will issue a report on its findings and may make recommendations to the board that include changes in Canadas pipeline rules and technical standards. Key inquiry points will involve:

• Evaluation of the extent of SCC problems in oil and gas pipeline systems, including examination of all pipe failures related to SCC.
• Review of the current knowledge base on SCC. This will include past and current research and development programs with a focus on the nature of SCC, its detection, prevention, and mitigation.
• Assessment of the public risk stemming from SCC, along with short and long term management of that risk.
• Consideration of steps to promote coordinated efforts to address the SCC issue, including ways to share technical data and research and development information.