Compliance Verification Activity Report: CV2223-036 - Enbridge Pipelines Inc.

Overview

Compliance verification activity type: Field Inspection

Team:

• Inspector 2864
• Inspector In Training T

Regulated company: Enbridge Pipelines Inc.

Operating company: Enbridge Pipelines Inc.

Province(s) / Territory(s):

• Manitoba
• Saskatchewan

Discipline(s):

• Environmental Protection
• Indigenous Monitoring

Related events:

• CV2122-294
• CV2122-328
• CV2223-037

Rationale and scope:

Field inspection of decommissioning activities for the Line 3 Decomissioning. Focus on Segment 3 Segmentation/Isolation/Railway Fill scheduled for August to October. Segment 3 is 255.63 km in length from Regina Terminal KP 704.202 to Cromer Terminal KP 958.845. Work on segment 3 was completed in June so this inspection focuses on reclamation of disturbed sites. 

Compliance tool(s) used:

• None

Facility details

Facilities:

• Line 3

Facility Types

• Pipeline
• Pipeline right of way (ROW)

Life-cycle Phases

• Decommissioning & Abandonment

Regulatory requirements

Regulatory requirements that apply to this activity:

• Canadian Energy Regulator Act (CERA)
• Canadian Energy Regulator Act (CERA)
• Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR) 2020-03-16

Observations (no outstanding follow-up required)

Observation 1 - General Observations

Date & time of visit: 2022-09-21 12:00

Discipline: Environmental Protection

Categories:

• Soils and Soil Productivity
• Erosion
• Soil Handling
• Biosecurity
• Wildlife
• Access Control/Lines of Sight
• Vegetation
• Vegetation Reclamation
• Crop Productivity

Facility:

Observations:

The inspection of Line 3 Decommissioning activities took place over a two-day period with several points of interest (POI) observed beginning at the Cromer Terminal and ending at Regina Terminal. The POI’s are locations where ground disturbance occurred relevant to environmental oversight. Three (3) types of construction activities were performed on the right-of-way as part of the decommissioning Project including Environmental segmentations, Valve isolations, and Railway fills.

The following observations were made pertinent to the activities described:

Environmental segmentations
The decommissioned pipe is exposed (via excavation) to remove a small segment of pipe. The ends of pipe are then capped off and sealed before being backfilled according to soil specifications.
Field Observations:

• Some temporary work space added to avoid congestion.
• Rig mats used as access control to avoid compaction of ground/crops.  
• ROW surrounding POI’s has achieved a high level of vegetation growth.
• Electrified perimeters have been established at select locations to exclude cattle/ wildlife.
• Erosion controls in place where required.
• Some areas remain unseeded at request of land-owners.
• No admixing of soils observed. Soils look dark and healthy.  

• No facilities observed in disarray. Operations and maintenance of facility grounds in good order.
• Surrounding environment is vegetated
• No residual staining from product
• Rig mats used as access control to avoid compaction. See IR.1 for further information.
• No issues observed.  

• Reclaimed, rough and loose soils can be observed on either side of each rail site inspected.
• No compaction issues evident
• Some weed presence observed, but at similar densities to off-ROW conditions.
• Some locations have electrified perimeter to exclude cattle/ wildlife
• Seeding performed at select locations, vegetation re-establishment is evident. Other locations will have land-owners perform seeding their lands as part of cultivation plans.
• No contouring or subsidence issues observed.

• A cleaning at the car wash was required for vehicles coming onto the Project.
• 1-2% bleach solution was applied to each person's boots before entering each site by foot. 

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observation 2 - Indigenous Matters

Date & time of visit: 2022-09-23 16:30

Discipline: Socio-Economic

Categories:

• Effects on Indigenous interests
• General

Facility:

• Line 3 (Pipeline)

Observations:

Enbridge representatives provided the following information.

• Communities had IMs present throughout the project to monitor Traditional knowledge sites.
• Communities were able to participate in learning about the pipeline and take tours of the line upon request
• Traditional Land Use (TLU) Sites are protected by the mitigations measures made by the company with the community’s involvement.

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: