Enbridge Inc. has completed repairs on the natural gas transmission pipeline that ruptured in British Columbia Oct. 9, allowing it to begin the process of restarting the line.
The company will perform a comprehensive integrity assessment before it starts returning the pipeline to service, which is expected to occur within 48 hours, Enbridge said in an Oct. 31 news release. The pipeline restart process involves gradually increasing gas flows through the repaired segment until the pressure reaches 80% of normal operating levels.
A smaller pipeline running alongside the repaired pipeline returned to service at 80% of its normal operating pressure on Oct. 11 after it was shuttered as a safety precaution. Before returning both pipelines to full capacity, Enbridge will launch a dig program at select locations along the smaller pipeline to evaluate the integrity of the system.
The pipeline rupture near Prince George, British Columbia, ignited and caused the evacuation of a First Nation community in the area. It also affected supplies for gas utility customers in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.
