Compliance Verification Activity Report: CV1819-094 - Enbridge Pipelines Inc.

Overview

Compliance verification activity type: Field Inspection

Team:

• Inspector In Training 2814T
• Inspector 2615

Regulated company: Enbridge Pipelines Inc.

Operating company: Enbridge Pipelines Inc.

Province(s) / Territory(s):

• Manitoba

Discipline(s):

• Integrity Management

Rationale and scope:

Construction Inspection L3RP (OC-63 & AO-1-XO-E101-004-2016) and facilities - Pipeline installation (Spread 7), looking at pipe handling, set-up, stringing, excavation, lowering, coating and inspection practices.

Compliance tool(s) used:

• None

Facility details

Facilities:

• Line 3

Life-cycle Phases

• Construction

Regulatory requirements

Regulatory requirements that apply to this activity:

• National Energy Board Act (NEBA)
• Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR)
• National Energy Board Act (NEBA) 2016-06-19
• Standards
• CSA Z662-15 - Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems

Regulatory instrument number(s):

• OC-063

Observations (no outstanding follow-up required)

Observation 1 - General Observations - Day 1

Date & time of visit: 2018-10-10 13:30

Discipline: Integrity Management

Categories:

• Pipeline
• Bends and Elbows
• Pipe Condition
• Pipe Storage and Handling
• Inspections
• Materials
• Coating
• Procedures

Facility:

• Line 3 (Pipeline)

Observations:

Coating Procedures and Oversight – At Brandon Yard

• NEB Inspectors reviewed the Enbridge Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) for Coatings.
• NEB Inspectors reviewed the coating applicator qualifications for each of the three coating systems in use.
• The coating was confirmed to be applied by brush and roller on Spread 7 as opposed to spray applied by an automated system (Serimax).
• NEB Inspectors reviewed the manufacturers qualified application procedure (MQAP).
• NEB Inspectors noted that the maximum pre-heat temperature for coating was 100C, but the coating QC lead (Banister) confirmed that 90C is considered the maximum in the field and that probe thermometers are used to confirm the temperature.
• Coatings QC lead confirmed that the cure time on the coating was quite short (3 minutes at 80C) as a result of the pre-heating used and that each coating layer was thus sanded between coats to aid adhesion.
• NEB Inspectors noted in the MQAP that bored pipe had a coating thickness ranging between 40 and 70 mils, The coating thickness range for general piping was between 25 and 70 mils.
• NEB Inspectors reviewed the instrument calibration logs and confirmed that the recalibration interval is 1 year.
• NEB Inspectors reviewed the coating repair certifications.
• NEB Inspectors confirmed that the piping is jeeped both before and after field coating as well as prior to lowering the pipe in the ditch.The company representative mentioned that all jeeps are recorded.
• NEB Inspectors reviewed the coating storage temperature records.
• NEB Inspectors reviewed coating application reports.Company representative explained that each crew completed one form each day.

• NEB Inspectors observed the pipe was stored in the yard on dunnage and blocked to keep it secured. Piping on the tops of the piles was noted to be white washed to prevent UV degradation of the coating.
• 23 meter long spiral pipe and long seam double jointed lengths of pipe, shop-bent pipe, and mainline valves were being stored in the yard.
• Company representatives noted that each pipe was marked with a red circumferential line at the centre for pick-up and balance during handling.
• NEB Inspectors noted that each pipe was barcoded and company representatives indicated that these barcodes were correlated with the relevant pipe and coating information for each length of pipe.
• NEB Inspectors observed that the pipe had rope around it at regular intervals to prevent piping from contacting each other and damaging the coating. Inspectors visually observed no obvious coating damage on the piping.
• NEB Inspectors noted that the yard was kept tidy.
• Company representatives explained that each pipe is marked with a pink dot after arriving on the ROW once all information has been documented for that pipe.

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observation 2 - General Observations - Day 2

Date & time of visit: 2018-10-10 13:30

Discipline: Integrity Management

Categories:

• Pipeline
• Bends and Elbows
• Ditching
• Lower-In
• Backfilling
• HDD/Drilling
• Pipe Condition
• Pipe Storage and Handling
• Inspections
• Materials
• Coating
• Procedures

Facility:

• Line 3 (Pipeline)

Observations:

Field Coating Crew

• NEB inspectors observed the tailgate meeting undertaken at the start of the day for the field coating crew with tasks to prepare and coat girth welds.
• NEB inspectors observed the sandblasters perform the blotter test to confirm the cleanliness of the air gun and supply air prior to sandblasting.
• NEB inspectors observed that the dew point, humidity, and pipe surface temperature were checked prior to commencing with blasting.
• NEB inspectors observed the company inspectors complete a surface profile check post-blasting and it was confirmed that this is done for 1 in 25 joints. The company inspector also completed a surface cleanliness visual inspection for each sandblasted weld. NEB inspectors observed preheating of the pipe through the use of inductive heating coils wrapped around the pipe.
• NEB inspectors observed the pipe temperature being checked prior to coating application. Post-coating heating was also observed and was explained to be in use in order to control and ensure proper curing with a consistent coating finish in the near freezing ambient temperatures.
• NEB inspectors observed a crew of two workers applying the girth weld coating with rollers and brushes with particular attention being given to coating the weld areas.
• NEB inspectors observed the clean-up crew as they removed any coating that had spilled on the ground outside of the drop sheet.
• Company inspectors confirmed that the coating is applied with a 50mm overlap and that the plant-applied coating is feathered in that area to ensure good adhesion.
• NEB inspectors observed that five dry film thickness (DFT) measurements were recorded for each coating application as well as several additional checks to ensure consistent application. The company coating inspector visually inspected each coating application in addition to the contractor’s coating quality control representative’s visual check.
• NEB inspectors observed the jeeping crew complete their calibration of the jeeper. NEB inspectors then observed several jeeps post-coating for both girth weld joints and coating repairs identified during the pre-coating jeep.
• NEB inspectors observed the company inspector complete a shore D hardness cure test and an adhesion (X-cut) test. The company inspector confirmed that the cure test is completed once per 25 joints and the adhesion test once per 50 joints.

• NEB Inspectors observed a bend pipe in the ditch after a road crossing with its straight end overlapping with a straight pipe in preparation for the tie-in of the two pipes. The ends of the pipes were seal welded to prevent ingress of water and soil. The tie-in will involve cutting the ends to ensure a proper fit for the joining process.

• NEB inspectors observed trenching and pipe lowering at Road 7.
• NEB Inspectors observed the bedding used for the piping and noted it was free of rocks.
• NEB Inspectors asked the foreman on site about the lifting and lowering plan and the weight capacity of the side booms. The foreman explained the weight capacity of the two side booms and that they well exceeded the pipe’s weight. The site had a third boom in place if it was needed to assist with the lowering.
• The crew foreman explained that the pipe had been jeeped today in preparation for the lowering of the pipe as per company procedures.

• NEB Inspectors observed the cold bending process.
• NEB Inspectors noted that the pipe was spiral welded and thus there were no concerns with the orientation of the longitudinal weld during bending.
• The company bending inspector noted that he checks the ovality for all bends.
• Company inspector explained that the maximum permitted cold bend deflection was 1 degree.
• The company inspector explained that the minimum temperature for bending is -29C

• NEB inspectors observed the set-up crew as they moved pipe lengths into place and prepared the pipe ends for welding.
• The company inspector explained that the landing of the resulting bevel is the critical component for a successful weld.
• NEB inspectors also observed the clean-up of metal shavings from the ground resulting from the preparation of the pipe ends..

• The HDD crew foreman explained that the pilot hole had been drilled, but that reaming had not started and the crew was preparing the site and the pipe that would be pulled. The greatest depth of cover for the HDD was noted to be 5m. The foreman explained that there was not a no-drill zone on this HDD and no issues had been encountered.

• NEB inspectors observed the use of the deck hand for loading of trucks by the contractor. NEB inspectors were able to examine the Teflon fingers used by the deck hand.
• NEB inspectors observed four 23 metre pipes loaded on one truck, where the pipes were separated from each other with ropes to protect the coating during transportation.The pipes were placed on the truck in pipe supports.

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observations (company follow-up required)

Identified non-compliances to company plans or procedures are non-compliances either to: