Enbridge Northern Gateway
Pipeline Project
Presentation by Jeff Green, Steve Jasper and Linda Postlewaite
Environmental Management Association of B.C.
February 20, 2014
Overview
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3 Challenges
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5
The Project
Regulatory Process
Environmental Management and Protection
Closing Thoughts
1
Northern Gateway
One of the Largest Infrastructure
Projects in Canada.
Enbridge Northern Gateway Project
• 1170 km long twin pipeline from Alberta to Kitimat
British Columbia
• 36” oil pipe carries 525,000 bbls/d west
• 20” condensate pipe carries 193,000 BBLs/d east
• Pipeline includes multiple pump stations,
associated power lines, and access roads
• Pipeline also includes two 13 m diameter bored
tunnels with a combined length of 14 km
• Pipeline ends at a 19 tank land terminal in Kitimat
• Marine berth will handle Suezmax to VLCC
tankers
• Primary markets are Asia and western USA
Specialized Pipeline Aspects
Routing
Tunnels to avoid difficult terrain
Use of thick walled pipe
Use of shut-off valves at major watercourse
crossings
• Variable depth burial relative to integrity risk
• Use of containment structures in some areas
• Regular smart pig inspection
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Kitimat Terminal
7
Marine Transportation Routes
Marine Transportation
• Approximately 440 ship
transits/year
• Double hulled tankers
• Laden vessels escorted by
tethered tugs (CCAA)
• All vessels have separate tug
escort
• New navigation systems and aids
2
Regulatory Process
Regulatory Drivers
 National Energy Board (NEB) Act
o Inter-provincial pipeline
o Export of hydrocarbons
 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
o Law List (DFO, NEB, Transport Canada)
 Referral under Section 25 of CEAA to a Joint Review
Panel (JRP):
 2 members from the NEB
 1 member from CEA Agency
JRP for Northern Gateway
Ken Bateman
Sheila Leggett
Hans Matthews
Schedule and Milestones
Schedule and Milestones cont’d
• JRP Decision Report issued on 19 December 2013
• The JRP recommended approval of the Project
subject to 209 conditions; specifically the JRP stated:
“We have concluded that the project would be in the
public interest. We find the project’s potential benefits
for Canada and Canadians outweigh the potential
burdens and risks.”
Next Steps
• Federal government now has 180 days to decide if it
will accept the NEB’s recommendation.
• During early 2014, CEA Agency will consult with
First Nations on the JRP recommendations and
conditions
• Governor in Council can request that the JRP
reconsider its recommendation or any of its terms
or conditions.
• If directed by GC, the NEB will issue a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity.
• The final conditions will form part of the CPCN.
Next Steps
• Once the CPCN is issued, NGP will still have to file
and seek approval on a very large number of permits
pertaining to:
• Land tenure
• Clearing and construction
• Environmental protection, mitigation and
compensation
• Many of these will require consultation with
Aboriginal groups and directly affected stakeholders
(e.g., land owners, trappers, guides)
TERMPOL
• Transport Canada process
for marine terminals and
transportation
• Completed process
voluntarily by May 2011
• Accepted and approved
by Transport Canada
• TERMPOL documents
submitted as supporting
document to ESA
3
Challenges
Challenges
• Terrestrial Environment
• 5 ecozones from Alberta
to coastal BC
• Different terrain and
ecosystems
• Marine Environment
• Unprecedented scope:
Territorial Sea of Canada
(inside channels and
sounds as well as open
water)
• Diverse marine ecosystem
• Multiple users
Challenges
• Aboriginal Political Landscape
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Over 50 Aboriginal Communities along pipeline
~10 Aboriginal Communities with coastal interests
Virtually no treaties in British Columbia except Treaty 8
Rights and title for most groups not legally defined
• ENGO Heavy Oil Campaign
• US and Canada campaign to shut down oil sands
• Focus on stopping any new shipping options
• Tied to stopping oil sands use in US
• Media
• Large size & profile led to substantial media attention
• Sensationalist approach by some
• Difficult to get balanced and impartial views on real science
Challenges
• Accidents and Malfunctions
• Exxon Valdez (1989) coupled
with BC ferry sinking in CCAA
(2010) created specter of
catastrophic marine spill
• Debate further intensified by:
• BP Macondo blowout
• Enbridge’s spill of heavy oil
in the Kalamazoo River
• Pipeline spills in Fort
McMurray and NWT
4
Environmental Effects and
Mitigation
Key Concerns: Pipelines
• Fish Habitat
• Rare plants and
communities
• Wetlands
• Caribou habitat
• Grizzly bear habitat
• SARA species
• Traditional land use
• Oil spills
Pipeline Mitigation and Compensation
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Routing
SWAT
Trenchless Water Crossings
Construction in Least Risk
Period
Fish Habitat Compensation
Wetland Functional
Assessment and
Compensation
Caribou Habitat Restoration
and Compensation
Grizzly Bear Habitat and
Linear Feature Removal
Specialized measures :
• Trumpeter Swans
• Coastal Tailed Frog
Pipeline Oil Spill Planning and Readiness
• Tiered pipeline
response plan
• Tactical watercourse
plans
• Regional response
capability
• Local response
personnel
• Training and exercises
• Local equipment
caches
• Environmental
benchmarking
Key Concerns: Marine
• Air Emissions from
Vessels
• Vessel Wake
• Fish Habitat (at
terminal)
• Marine Mammals
• Vessel strike risk
• Underwater Noise
• Marine Fisheries
• Traditional Marine
Use
• Oil spills
Marine Mitigation and Compensation
• North American Emissions
Control Zones (low sulfur fuels)
• Vessel speed reductions
• 8-10 knots summer
• 10-12 knots winter
• Reduces strike risk, underwater
noise and wake
• Whale spotting vessel
• Passive acoustic monitoring
• Commitment to long-term
programs:
• Marine mammals
• Marine Birds
• Marine Fish Habitat
Compensation
• Fisheries Liaison Committee
Marine Oil Spill Planning and Readiness
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Tiered marine spill response plans
Geographic response plans
Environmental sensitivity atlases
Regional response capability
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Substantially exceed Transport Canada requirements
Local response personnel
Training and exercises
Equipment caches
• Environmental benchmarking
• Harvest Studies
• Marine Environmental Effects Monitoring
• Fisheries Surveys
5
Closing Thoughts
Considerations for Managers
• Complex and long regulatory review process
• Public understanding of operations, issues and
solutions
• Power of the media
• Social license
• Unprecedented scope of mitigation and
compensation
• Spill response
• Risk communication
Questions?