Compliance verification activity type: Field Inspection
Team:
Regulated company: Westcoast Energy Inc., carrying on business as Spectra Energy Transmission
Operating company: Westcoast Energy Inc., carrying on business as Spectra Energy Transmission
Province(s) / Territory(s):
Discipline(s):
Related events:
Rationale and scope:
Integrity Dig Inspection. Verify company NDE assessment for a dig triggered after EMAT in-line inspection. Verify compliance to NEB OPR and CSA Z662.
Compliance tool(s) used:
Facilities:
Facility Types
Life-cycle Phases
Regulatory requirements that apply to this activity:
Observation 1 - Dig # 1 - GW 23710
Date & time of visit: 2019-05-29 09:30
Discipline: Integrity Management
Categories:
Facility:
Observations:
Day 1NEB inspectors arrived at the dig site, where the non-destructive examination (NDE) inspectors (Acuren) were planning on conducting radiographic inspection of the anomalies on the exposed pipe. Westcoast confirmed that the pipeline was operating at a pressure below the safe excavation pressure. The pipe had an asphalt coating. Acuren had performed both magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and ultrasonic testing (UT) on the exposed pipe. There were two linear indications found at the seam weld of the exposed portion where the EMAT tool had called them. There was no indications of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) on the exposed section of the pipe joint. Radiography was performed on the longitudinal seam weld in the area of the identified linear indications. Preliminary NDE assessment of the radiographs showed an acceptable porosity within the area of one of the linear indications.
Day 2
Based on the measurements and calculations taken of the features to confirm it would be safe to proceed, the company performed grinding repairs on the identified linear indications. The company performed UT between each pass and re-evaluated the indications. The company also confirmed that the work was performed within the acceptable buffering range.The trenches were properly sloped with proper access and egress. Fire extinguishers were present at the entrance of each trench.
A conclusive assessment of the features will be provided in the final NDE report, which Westcoast agreed to submit as follow-up to the inspection. Explanations from Westcoast and Acuren for the NDE assessment were consistent with the Westcoast procedures provided prior to the inspection.
Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used
Observation 2 - Dig # 2 - GW 26540
Date & time of visit: 2019-05-29 08:30
Day 1
The EMAT tool had indicated that there was one crack-like feature near the longitudinal seam weld on this joint. A section of the pipe joint was exposed and Westcoast had performed UT on the exposed segment. There was evidence of other small SCC cracks on the pipe body but it was below the tool tolerance. There was also some external corrosion to be assessed. Acuren confirmed that corrosion features would be mapped, measured, and assessed for failure pressures prior to determining the most appropriate repair method.
Acuren demonstrated the MPI inspection on the location called by the EMAT tool to visualize the features for a preliminary assessment.
The coating of this section of pipe was tape and Westcoast remarked that they found coating disbondment from the 2 to 5 o'clock position.
The company had exposed longer sections of pipe downstream and upstream of the original exposed length. For the upstream section, Acuren confirmed that they had completed MPI and UT on the area.The trenches were properly sloped with proper access and egress. Fire extinguishers were present at the entrance of each trench.
Identified non-compliances to company plans or procedures are non-compliances either to:
- the condition of an authorization document that requires the implementation of that plan or procedure; or
- the relevant section of the regulations that requires implementation of that plan or procedure including those sections that require implementation of plans or procedures as a part of a Program
