NEB Releases Enbridge Control Room Inspection Report

CALGARY, June 10, 2013 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB or the Board) has released the inspection report documenting its assessment of Enbridge Pipeline Inc.'s (Enbridge) initiatives in pipeline integrity, emergency response management, and control centre operations.

In August and September of 2012, the Board inspected Enbridge's control room operations to assess Enbridge's stated improvements following the 2011 pipeline rupture in Marshall, Michigan.

"The Board requires its regulated companies to be in compliance with all regulations at all times," said Gaétan Caron, the NEB's Chair and CEO. "That is why it was critical for us to review Enbridge's control room to confirm Enbridge employees have the tools necessary to avoid a Marshall-type incident in the future."

Many aspects of Enbridge's management systems were reviewed during the inspection. Since Enbridge had not yet fully implemented all the improvements it has identified following the Marshall rupture, the Board is ordering a third-party audit to fully examine Enbridge's management system, any human factors associated with control room operation, and the safety culture of the organization as a whole. The NEB will set the parametres of the audit. The third-party auditor will report directly and be fully accountable to the Board.

"The Board will continue to monitor and assess all of Enbridge's reported improvements and day-to-day operations through its targeted compliance verification activities," said Caron. "We will take whatever action is required in order to be satisfied the company continues to operate safely in Canada."

The Board did not identify any non-compliances with the National Energy Board Onshore Pipeline Regulations that would pose an immediate hazard to public safety or the environment.

The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada's energy industry with the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment as its top priority. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest. For more information on the NEB and its mandate, please visit www.neb-one.gc.ca.

This news release is available on the NEB's website at www.neb-one.gc.ca under What's New!

To view the full report, please visit: http://www.neb-one.gc.ca/clf-nsi/rsftyndthnvrnmnt/sfty/sfcmpctn-eng.html

SOURCE: National Energy Board

Rebecca Taylor
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