CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - April 4, 2017) -
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Enbridge Inc. ("Enbridge") (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) and NDT Global are taking the next leap in integrity management by partnering in a multi-year research and development project to advance innovation in pipeline inspection technology and ultimately, drive pipeline safety and reliability to a new level.
The multi-year collaboration agreement focuses on the development of a new generation of inspection tool that is targeted to even further improve pipe crack assessment. Enbridge and NDT Global have already been working together for 15 years on pipeline inspections and are at the forefront of the industry in advancing crack assessment with high resolution ultrasonic inspections. This joint investment will bring further innovation and a new technology capability to the existing integrity management programs.
"At Enbridge, we are continually looking for opportunities to enhance existing technologies, and progress new ones, in the areas of design, construction, operation and maintenance, to keep our pipelines safe," said Walter Kresic, Enbridge's Vice President Pipeline Integrity of Enbridge Pipelines Inc. "We believe this next generation project with NDT Global will build on the industry leading tools and technology we already use, and further enhance our ability to inspect, monitor and prioritize cracking threats in pipelines," added Mr. Kresic.
Enbridge works with organizations around the globe that provide best-in-class technologies for keeping pipelines safe, assisting such organizations to develop the technologies, including in-line inspection tools, ever further. In-line inspection tools, known in the industry as "intelligent pigs," are highly complex pieces of equipment that use sophisticated sensor technology and powerful computation to inspect pipes millimeter by millimeter, with a level of detail similar to that provided by MRI and ultrasound technology in the medical industry. They are essential to Enbridge's program of pipeline integrity management.
"NDT Global's long-term goal is to eliminate pipeline failure due to pipe integrity defects," said Mario Lemme, CEO of NDT Global. "Achieving this requires collaboration in long-term research and development projects. We are delighted to collaborate closely with Enbridge on this initiative, which offers a real opportunity to make a breakthrough in crack assessment capability."
The scope of the new project is aimed at evolving existing inline inspection performance. Enbridge and NDT Global have set ambitious goals for improving the ability to accurately and consistently find crack features. An important step in this research and development program will be to prove the equipment capability by conducting test runs within the Enbridge pipelines in Canada and the U.S.
Enbridge invests significantly in the fitness of its systems and in leak detection, and in the past five years spent more than $4.9-billion on programs that help Enbridge maintain the fitness of its systems across operations in Canada and the U.S.
"Investing in research and innovation is an important component of our approach to pipeline safety, benefiting Enbridge and the industry as a whole," concluded Mr. Kresic.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain information provided in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements. Although Enbridge believes these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. A further discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Enbridge can be found in the Enbridge's filings with Canadian and United States securities regulators. While Enbridge makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Enbridge assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About NDT Global
NDT Global is a leading supplier of ultrasonic pipeline inspection and pipeline integrity management. Its state-of-the art inspection fleet provides the entire inline inspection service spectrum for onshore and offshore pipelines worldwide. The full range of services includes; geometry and deformation inspection, metal loss and crack inspection, defect assessment and fitness-for-purpose investigations.
First run success, best data quality and rapid report delivery are our key benchmarks. A skilled engineering and project management team, complemented by one of the best data analysis teams in the industry, has inspected and analyzed millions of kilometers of pipelines worldwide. The company has offices in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, UAE, UK and USA. For more information, visit www.ndt-global.com.
About Enbridge Inc.
Enbridge Inc. is North America's premier energy infrastructure company with strategic business platforms that include an extensive network of crude oil, liquids and natural gas pipelines, regulated natural gas distribution utilities and renewable power generation. The Company delivers an average of 2.8 million barrels of crude oil each day through its Mainline and Express Pipelines, accounts for nearly 68% of U.S.-bound Canadian crude oil production, and moves approximately 20% of all natural gas consumed in the U.S., serving key supply basins and demand markets. The Company's regulated utilities serve approximately 3.5 million retail customers in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. Enbridge also has a growing involvement in electricity infrastructure, with interests in more than 2,500 MW of net renewable generating capacity, and an expanding offshore wind portfolio in Europe. The Company has ranked on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations index for the past eight years; its common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB.
Life takes energy and Enbridge exists to fuel people's quality of life. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com.
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