Corrosion blamed for TransCanada's pipeline breaks in western Alberta

Dec. 5, 2003
In a brief update, TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. said Thursday that external corrosion was the most likely cause of two breaks in its pipeline system earlier in the week in western Alberta (OGJ Online, Dec. 2-3, 2003).

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Dec. 5 -- TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. said Thursday that external corrosion was the most likely cause of two breaks in its pipeline system earlier in the week in western Alberta (OGJ Online, Dec. 2-3, 2003).

Although the company said it has spent about $74 million this year on its pipeline integrity program, preliminary investigations into the cause of the breaks point to external corrosion. The affected pipe sections are about 100 km southeast of Grande Prairie, Alberta.

TransCanada employees continue to work with regulators at both sites to investigate and evaluate the damage and repair the system. "We have crews working around the clock to repair the pipeline," said Don Wishart, TransCanada's executive vice-president of operations and engineering. "We want to get it operating safely and reliably as soon as possible."