2011 Pipeline Annual Statistics - Highlights

A total of 5 pipeline accidents were reported to the TSB in 2011, down from the 2010 total of 11 and down from the 2006-2010 average of 9. The 2011 pipeline accident rate was 0.4 pipeline accidents per exajoule, down from 2010 (0.9) and down from the 2006-2010 average of 0.7 1.

The last fatal pipeline accident in the portion of the industry under federal jurisdiction occurred in 1988.

In 2011, 165 pipeline incidents were reported in accordance with the TSB mandatory reporting requirements, up from 145 in 2010 and up from the five-year average of 95. In all, 82 % of those incidents involved uncontained or uncontrolled release of small quantities of gas, oil and high-vapour-pressure products. As in 2010, the 2011 increase in incidents can be attributed to the addition of a major pipeline to federal jurisdiction.

1

Activity data source: National Energy Board of Canada (exajoules are estimated).↑

2011 statistical highlights: pipeline occurrences
  2011 2010 2006-2010
Average
Accidents 5 11 9
Total, line pipe 2 1 2
3rd party damage with release 0 0 0
Disturbance of supporting environment with release 0 0 0
Corrosion/Environmental cracking 1 0 0
Fire/Ignition/Explosion 1 0 1
Other damage with release 0 1 1
Total, other facilities (a) 3 10 7
3rd party damage 1 2 1
Disturbance of supporting environment with release 0 0 0
Corrosion/Environmental cracking 0 0 0
Fire/Ignition/Explosion 2 6 5
Other damage with release 0 2 1
Pipeline activity (exajoules) (b) 12.9 12.4 12.7
Accidents per exajoule 0.4 0.9 0.7
Incidents 165 145 95
Total, line pipe 20 16 15
3rd party damage - no release 1 2 3
Disturbance of supporting environment - no release 2 0 0
Uncontained release 13 7 7
Other 4 7 4
Total, other facilities (a) 145 129 80
3rd party damage - no release 0 0 1
Disturbance of supporting environment - no release 0 0 0
Uncontained release 122 119 72
Other 23 10 7
Data extracted February 15, 2012.
(a) Includes compressor stations, pump stations, meter stations, gas processing plants and other related facilities.
(b) Activity data source: National Energy Board of Canada (exajoules are estimated).

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