TransCanada – Pipeline Safety
Blaine Trout, Manager – Canadian Pipeline Projects
February 18th, 2014
TransCanada Corporation
(TSX/NYSE: TRP)
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TransCanada is a leading North
American energy infrastructure
company with over 60 years of
experience in energy transportation.
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Approximately $48 billion of premium
pipeline and energy assets.
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The organization employs over 4,900
people in nearly 50 professions, trades
and fields, located in 7 provinces and 32
states.
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Network of approximately 68,500 km
of wholly owned and 11,500 km of
partially owned natural gas pipelines
TransCanada Pipeline Safety Overview
• Pipelines are the safest method of transporting the huge volumes of natural gas
that must be moved throughout Canada every day
• Safety of the public, employees and the environment is the top priority of
TransCanada’s pipeline integrity programs
• In the over 60 years TransCanada has operated pipelines there have been no
injuries to members of the public as a result of the operation of our assets
• Safety and reliability is the key to ensuring TransCanada and the pipeline
industry are able to continue operating and building energy infrastructure in
North America for years to come
Our goal is for zero pipeline incidents
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Multifaceted Pipeline Safety
1) Design
2) Environmental Considerations
3) Construction
4) Operations
5) Maintenance
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Design
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Materials
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Thicker walled pipe (ie. Crossings)
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High strength steel: X80 (Grade 550) and X100 (Grade 690)
Crossing design technologies
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New trenchless crossing techniques (ie. Direct Pipe)
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Design
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Geohazard Assessments
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Examples:
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Unstable slopes, such as landslides
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Seismic hazards
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Lateral and vertical migration of watercourses at crossings
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Permafrost expansive or collapsible soils
Risk Control Techniques:
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Avoidance (routing)
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Stabilization (re-alignment, heavy wall, wider ditch to allow for
engineered backfill to allow pipe to move)
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Monitoring (slope indicators, strain gauges, visual inspection)
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Environmental Considerations
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Traditional Land Use
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Route (Minimize Disturbance)
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Watercourses and Wetlands
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Vegetation
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Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat
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Species at Risk
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Air Quality and Noise
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Archaeology / Paleontological
Opportunity: Engagement
Utilize Local Knowledge - Collaboration
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Construction
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Advancements in Welding Techniques
Dual Torch Mechanized Welding
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Construction
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Advancements in Coating Technologies
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Inside Diameter Coating
Automated Coating Machines
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Construction
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TransCanada Inspection through construction process
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Material manufacturing (pipe, valves, etc.)
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Shop fabrication
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Pipeline installation
• Non-Destructive Examination
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Examination of the entire
circumference of each joint by
radiographic or ultrasonic
methods
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Goal: To ensure the integrity of
each joint
Automated Ultrasonic Testing
(AUT)
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Operations & Maintenance Activities
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Aerial Patrol: Regular inspection
of pipeline route using low-flying
helicopters and planes
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Cover Surveys: Investigations in
areas where we suspect wind or
water erosion may have reduced
depth of cover
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Geotechnical Monitoring: Visual
inspection, installed slope
indicators and strain gauges
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Hydrostatic Testing: Completed
during the installation of all new
pipelines, and when further
investigation of an existing line is
required
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Operations & Maintenance
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In-line Inspection (‘pigging’): Specialized internal inspection
devices called ‘smart pigs’ travel through the pipeline collecting data.
The data is analyzed to determine if there are areas of concern which
require further investigation
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New In-line inspection tool (Electro Magnetic Acoustic
Transducer)
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Operations & Maintenance
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Cathodic Protection: a low-voltage electric current is induced in the
vicinity of the pipeline to inhibit pipeline corrosion
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Investigative Digs: Sections of pipeline are excavated to examine
the condition and to ensure integrity
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24 Hour Gas Control Center: Staff can detect changes in pressure
along pipeline and can ensure pipelines are operating correctly
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In 2012 TransCanada invested $900 MM in PL integrity and
proactive maintenance programs
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Thank You
Questions
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