TransCanada – Pipeline Safety Blaine Trout, Manager – Canadian Pipeline Projects February 18th, 2014
TransCanada Corporation (TSX/NYSE: TRP) TransCanada is a leading North American energy infrastructure company with over 60 years of experience in energy transportation. Approximately $48 billion of premium pipeline and energy assets. The organization employs over 4,900 people in nearly 50 professions, trades and fields, located in 7 provinces and 32 states. Network of approximately 68,500 km of wholly owned and 11,500 km of partially owned natural gas pipelines 1
TransCanada Pipeline Safety Overview Pipelines are the safest method of transporting the huge volumes of natural gas that must be moved throughout Canada every day Safety of the public, employees and the environment is the top priority of TransCanada’s pipeline integrity programs In the over 60 years TransCanada has operated pipelines there have been no injuries to members of the public as a result of the operation of our assets Safety and reliability is the key to ensuring TransCanada and the pipeline industry are able to continue operating and building energy infrastructure in North America for years to come Our goal is for zero pipeline incidents
Multifaceted Pipeline Safety Design Environmental Considerations Construction Operations Maintenance
Design Materials Crossing design technologies Thicker walled pipe (ie. Crossings) High strength steel: X80 (Grade 550) and X100 (Grade 690) Crossing design technologies New trenchless crossing techniques (ie. Direct Pipe)
Design Geohazard Assessments Examples: Unstable slopes, such as landslides Seismic hazards Lateral and vertical migration of watercourses at crossings Permafrost expansive or collapsible soils Risk Control Techniques: Avoidance (routing) Stabilization (re-alignment, heavy wall, wider ditch to allow for engineered backfill to allow pipe to move) Monitoring (slope indicators, strain gauges, visual inspection)
Environmental Considerations Traditional Land Use Route (Minimize Disturbance) Watercourses and Wetlands Vegetation Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Species at Risk Air Quality and Noise Archaeology / Paleontological Opportunity: Engagement Utilize Local Knowledge - Collaboration
Construction Advancements in Welding Techniques Dual Torch Mechanized Welding
Construction Advancements in Coating Technologies Inside Diameter Coating Automated Coating Machines
Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) Construction TransCanada Inspection through construction process Material manufacturing (pipe, valves, etc.) Shop fabrication Pipeline installation Non-Destructive Examination Examination of the entire circumference of each joint by radiographic or ultrasonic methods Goal: To ensure the integrity of each joint Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT)
Operations & Maintenance Activities Aerial Patrol: Regular inspection of pipeline route using low-flying helicopters and planes Cover Surveys: Investigations in areas where we suspect wind or water erosion may have reduced depth of cover Geotechnical Monitoring: Visual inspection, installed slope indicators and strain gauges Hydrostatic Testing: Completed during the installation of all new pipelines, and when further investigation of an existing line is required
Operations & Maintenance In-line Inspection (‘pigging’): Specialized internal inspection devices called ‘smart pigs’ travel through the pipeline collecting data. The data is analyzed to determine if there are areas of concern which require further investigation New In-line inspection tool (Electro Magnetic Acoustic Transducer)
Operations & Maintenance Cathodic Protection: a low-voltage electric current is induced in the vicinity of the pipeline to inhibit pipeline corrosion Investigative Digs: Sections of pipeline are excavated to examine the condition and to ensure integrity 24 Hour Gas Control Center: Staff can detect changes in pressure along pipeline and can ensure pipelines are operating correctly In 2012 TransCanada invested $900 MM in PL integrity and proactive maintenance programs
Thank You Questions