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(Image Credit: Photos courtesy TSB/Westcoast/Acuren/Google Mapss)
By Erika Rolling
Industry

TSB releases report on struck pipeline in northeastern B.C.

Jun 30, 2026 | 6:00 AM

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has released its report on damage done to a pipeline in British Columbia’s northeast late last year.

The incident happened on November 15, 2025, on a 16-inch-diameter pipeline operated by Westcoast Energy Limited Partnership that transports sweet natural gas near Blair Creek, about 151 km northwest of Fort St. John. Westcoast Energy Limited Partnership is an affiliate of Enbridge Inc.

There were construction activities in October and November in preparation for installing an new 24-inch pipeline to cross underneath two existing Westcoast-operated pipelines, crossing each twice, for a total of four crossings.

TSB says the line was struck by a 20-inch-diameter pipe that was being used as shoring for an observation hole. The pipe was struck after a previously placed wooden post used to mark to location of the line was broken and moved, and a new stake was installed without re-exposing the 16-inch pipeline, resulting in inaccurate identification of the precise location.

No sweet natural gas ignited or exploded, but approximately 47,310 cubic meters was released in the incident. The depth of the line struck was 5.8 meters.

There were seven construction crew members within in 25 meter radius of the struck line. All were moved to a safe area. There were no injuries to members of the public and no other areas had to be evacuated.

Following the incident, a 6.2 m-long damaged section of the pipeline was cut out and sent for laboratory analysis. The pipeline was repaired and returned to service on December 5, 2025.

In conclusion, the Canada Energy Regulator issued a Notice of Measure Satisfied to both Westcoast and the construction contractor in February 2026. Also, Westcoast updated its ground disturbance procedures and provided refresher training to construction inspectors, and the construction contractor updated its ground disturbance job hazard procedures and competency evaluations and provided refresher training to the NPS 24 pipeline project personnel.

TSB says this occurrence highlights the importance for construction crews to positively identify buried facilities before conducting ground disturbance activities in close proximity.

by Erika Rolling