[IPSM] Pipeline leak in northeastern B.C. was not sabotage

[Macdonald Stainsby]

FYI...


Pipeline leak in northeastern B.C. was not sabotage
February 20, 2009
CBC News

Two pipeline workers were injured by a leak in a northeastern B.C. 
natural gas pipeline, but the incident was not another case of sabotage, 
an official said.

Spectra Energy spokeswoman Rosemary Silva said Friday two workers were 
doing routine maintenance on a 45-centimetre pipeline when the breach 
occurred.

The two workers were taken to hospital with minor injuries and one was 
later released, she said.

The company had the leak under control by noon Friday and traffic on the 
nearby Alaska Highway resumed flowing.

It was too early to say what might have caused the leak, Silva said.

Initial reports from drivers on the Alaska Highway, which is about 400 
metres away from the pipeline, had officials worried the pipeline had 
exploded. Fort St. John RCMP quickly moved to block traffic near the 
111-mile mark on the route.

But Spectra Energy said the roaring sound drivers heard resulted from 
gas escaping from the pipeline, and there was no fire or explosion at 
the site.

There have been four bombings aimed at EnCana pipelines in the same area 
in recent months, but Silva said Friday's incident was not sabotage.

Many pipelines in the area carry sour gas, a form of natural gas that 
can be toxic in certain concentrations.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/02/20/bc-pipeline-explosion-alaska-highway.html