CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - July 1, 2013) - Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) today confirmed the return to service of the northern segment of the Athabasca Pipeline (Line 19) between Fort McMurray and Cheecham on June 30th. Enbridge continues to make progress in responding to the June 22nd release from its Line 37 pipeline; the failure of Line 37 has been confirmed to have been caused by a 1-in-100 year rainfall event last week which triggered ground movement on the right-of-way.
Enbridge had shut down pipelines that shared a corridor with Line 37 as a precaution. The Athabasca Pipeline was restarted early June 30th at reduced operating pressure following completion of extensive engineering and geotechnical analysis, as well as excavation and inspection at several points on the pipeline. Similar analysis has been completed on the Wood Buffalo Pipeline (Line 75), which runs between Fort McMurray and Cheecham, and Enbridge anticipates returning this line to service shortly. The Woodland Pipeline (Line 49) between Fort McMurray and Cheecham has been in the process of line fill upstream from the site of the incident. Line fill activities continue in preparation for full start up.
Enbridge is continuing further geotechnical analysis at the site. Once this analysis is complete, Enbridge will identify and implement any necessary mitigation measures to protect against further ground movement. Enbridge anticipates returning the Athabasca and Wood Buffalo pipelines to full pressure and capacity. Timing for completion cannot yet be determined; however, further loss of revenue is expected to be minor in the interim.
"The unprecedented rainfall and extremely wet conditions at the site have had a significant impact on the ability of crews and heavy equipment to safely access the site of the release, complete excavations and conduct visual inspections. While our focus was on bringing all possible human and equipment resources to bear in responding as quickly as possible, we committed from the outset that we would not compromise safety, nor restart our pipelines until we could ensure that it would be safe to do so," said Stephen J. Wuori, President, Liquids Pipelines and Major Projects.
"We have been in constant communication with our customers to provide updates of our progress and to work with them to mitigate impacts to their operations. We have maintained regular contact with the Alberta Energy Regulator as well as members of nearby communities including Aboriginal communities."
The southern segment of the Athabasca Pipeline (Line 19) between Cheecham and Hardisty was returned to service on June 23rd and the Waupisoo Pipeline (Line 18) between Cheecham and Edmonton on June 25th.
Recovery of oil from the release on Line 37 continues with improved weather conditions aiding efforts. Environmental regulators have been to the site and Enbridge is providing regular updates on methodology and status of the clean-up and remediation. Repairs to Line 37, which serves the Long Lake oil sands project, are continuing. However, completion of repairs and return to service will be contingent on completion of further geotechnical analysis. Limited volumes that would have otherwise been transported to Cheecham on Line 37 are being received via truck.
About Enbridge Inc.
Enbridge Inc., a Canadian company, is a North American leader in delivering energy and one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. As a transporter of energy, Enbridge operates, in Canada and the U.S., the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system. The Company also has a significant and growing involvement in natural gas gathering, transmission and midstream businesses, and an increasing involvement in power transmission. As a distributor of energy, Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, and provides distribution services in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. As a generator of energy, Enbridge has interests in more than 1,600 megawatts of renewable and alternative energy generating capacity and is expanding its interests in wind and solar energy and geothermal. Enbridge employs approximately 10,000 people, primarily in Canada and the U.S. and is ranked as one of Canada's Greenest Employers, and one of the Top 100 Companies to Work for in Canada. Enbridge's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com.
Certain information provided in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Enbridge believes that 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 pertaining to operating performance, regulatory parameters, weather, economic conditions and commodity prices. You can find a discussion of those risks and uncertainties in our Canadian securities filings and American SEC filings. 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.
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