Update: The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 23 July 2018.
Third-party damage to a crude oil pipeline
Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
Line 2
Sherwood Park, Alberta
Occurrence summary
On 17 February 2017, at approximately 1505 Mountain Standard Time, a 610 mm (24-inch) pipeline operated by Enbridge Pipelines Inc. was struck and punctured by a 28-inch reamer during the installation of a Grand Rapids Pipeline GP Ltd. pipeline. Approximately 1000 m³ of petroleum crude oil condensate was released into an excavation in the vicinity of the occurrence, saturating the soil. Most of the released product was recovered. There were no injuries, and no off-site evacuation was required
Media materials
News release
TSB releases investigation report into February 2017 third-party damage to a crude oil pipeline in Sherwood Park, Alberta
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to a pipeline release in Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, 18 February 2017 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of a pipeline release in Edmonton, Alberta. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
P17H0011
Third-party damage to a crude oil pipeline
Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
Line 2
Sherwood Park, Alberta
Investigator-in-charge
Jennifer Philopoulos has 15 years of experience in the Oil and Gas industry. She joined the TSB in 2015 as a pipeline engineering expert and senior investigator based out of the Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, regional office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Dalhousie University.
Prior to joining the TSB, Ms. Philopoulos began her career with Shell at their Oil Sands Upgrading facility, as a site materials and corrosion engineer. Most recently, she has worked as a consulting engineer, providing materials and corrosion expertise to the Oil and Gas industry.
Her experience has focused on corrosion assessments evaluating the conditions of materials in refineries and pipelines in order to prevent premature failures. This includes performing and developing risk-based inspection programs, preventative maintenance programs and supporting fitness for service assessments. She has also preformed and supported metallurgical forensic work on various failed components.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.