Regulator issues call to action in wake of oil spill near Sundre

Red Deer River oil spill.  Photo, Edmonton Journal, Canadian Press

Pipeline operators told to increase monitoring around water crossings in wake of Sundre spill

Regulator issues call to action in wake of oil spill near Sundre

By Dina O'Meara,

Calgary Herald

June 13, 2012

Provincial regulators are urging pipeline operators in Alberta to increase monitoring around water crossings almost a week after thousands of barrels of sour oil spilled into the swollen Red Deer River.

The Energy Resources Conservation Board called on companies Tuesday to raise their vigilance even as heavy rains and melting snows flooded into waterways, raising a potential threat to some pipelines.

"High stream flows and flooding have the potential to rapidly scour and wash out pipeline crossings of creeks, streams, and rivers," the board said.

But the difficult conditions could make monitoring difficult.

"In such cases, licensees are encouraged to isolate and purge pipelines where they may be at risk," the bulletin said.

The call to action comes five days after landowners near Sundre, about 130 kilometres northwest of Calgary, alerted companies of the stink of oil near Jackson Creek. Up to 3,000 barrels of crude leaked into the river, moving on the fast-flowing river through prime wildlife and fish habitat before being contained at Gleniffer reservoir.

The bulletin was issued as a result of the Plains Midstream spill, said a board spokesman, Bob Curran.

Curran said the board has issued similar alerts in previous times of high water flow in the province such as during the floods of 2009.

Pipeline operator Plains Midstream Canada subsequently said the spill, which was contained 50 km downstream at Gleniffer Reservoir, would have been far worse if the company had been flowing crude through the line at the time.

"This is worse than the barn door syndrome," said Joe Anglin, energy critic and Wildrose MLA for RimbeyRocky Mountain House-Sundre.

The regulator should be using its muscle to enforce action to prevent spills rather than "encourage" companies to follow already established safety protocol, Anglin said.

"They're begging industry to do what they are supposed to be doing and the ERCB is not showing any leadership whatsoever. What they should be doing is . . . giving companies directives to inspect water crossings and report back."

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Note: All bolding is ours