Pipeline transportation safety investigation P25H0072

Table of contents

    Damage to pipeline 
    Westcoast Energy Limited Partnership
    16-inch Aitken Creek Lateral, Kilometre Post 3.338
    Near Fort St. John, British Columbia

    The occurrence 

    On 15 November 2025 at approximately 12:10 pm, Mountain Standard Time, a 406.4 mm (16-inch) pipeline operated by Westcoast Energy Limited Partnership, transporting sweet natural gas, was struck and punctured during the installation of a new 24-inch pipeline near Fort St. John, British Columbia, resulting in a product release. The damaged pipeline was subsequently isolated and depressurized. There were no injuries, and evacuation of members of the public was not required. The TSB is investigating.

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

    TSB investigation process

    There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
    3. Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.

    For more information, see our Investigation process page.

    The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

    Stay connected