Enbridge Pipelines Inc. plans to resume throughput on its Line 4 heavy oil pipeline Saturday morning after a bypass is completed around a rupture discovered early Wednesday morning.
The company estimated 15,000 bbl of oil was spilled in a marshy slough near Hardisty, Alta. Crews were working to clean the spill and expected to recover more than 90% of the oil.
The temporary piping was expected to be able to transport 75%-80% of the 600,000 b/d load of the pipeline.
A spokesman said a repair of the main line would be made within 3-4 days. Once the repair is complete, Enbridge expects to operate near the line's 640,000 b/d capacity for 3-4 weeks to make up throughput loss.
Line 4 carries crude from Edmonton, Alta., to Hardisty, Alta., then through Sakatchewan to Superior, Wis. The break in Enbridge line 4 did not disrupt deliveries or affect other lines.
Investigators from Canada�s National Energy Board and National Transportation Safety Board were investigating the spill.