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Rainbow Pipeline Incident
Questions and Answers
Description of the Incident and Plains' initial response
At approximately 7:50 a.m. (Mountain time) on April 29, 2011 we confirmed a release of crude oil along a remote section of the Rainbow pipeline, in the Evi area, located in Northern Sunrise County approximately 100km northeast of Peace River, AB.
We initiated our emergency response procedures. Valves in the pipeline were closed, isolating the damaged area of the pipeline. Southbound flows from Nipisi remain in service.
Environmental assessment staff, spill response specialists, and monitoring equipment have been mobilized. Our crews have contained the spill, and continue clean-up efforts.
Plains has contacted appropriate regulatory agencies, as well as local municipal government officials.
About the Rainbow Pipeline System
Plains Midstream Canada, ULC is the 100% owner and operator of the Rainbow system, which consists of a 480-mile, 20-inch to 24-inch mainline crude oil pipeline extending from the Norman Wells Pipeline located in Zama, Alberta to Edmonton, Alberta and 114 miles of gathering pipelines. The system has a throughput capacity of approximately 220,000 barrels per day and transported approximately 187,000 barrels per day during 2010.
Q:
What was the cause of the spill?
A:
The third-party engineering report and Plains’ comprehensive analysis concludes that the cause of the pipeline failure was a singular event – an instantaneous failure caused by a unique combination of the three coincident factors: the presence of a full encirclement repair sleeve; an initiating circumferential crack on the weld; and an unusually large external force acting on the crack.
Q:
How much oil has leaked? How many gallons/litres is that?
A:
Approximately 4,500 m3 (28,000 barrels) has leaked. Approximately 1.176 million gallons/4.5 million litres.
Q:
How big is the area of the spill?
A:
The area impacted by oil is approximately 8.3 hectares. The containment area is approximately 18.0 hectares.
Q:
What is being done to clean up this spill?
A:
We’ve brought in specially trained spill response specialists, environmental experts, and clean-up professionals to support the comprehensive clean-up efforts.
The release has been contained and we've removed all recoverable free oil, and are disposing of oil-contaminated soil at approved waste facilities. We are confident that we can remediate this to a very high standard.
Q:
How long will it take to clean this up?
A:
We’re estimating the clean-up and remediation phase will take a total of eight months to complete. Once the clean-up phase has been completed, we’ll begin the reclamation and restoration process. We’re committed to completing a comprehensive clean up of the site and are working to ensure that the clean up meets all applicable environmental standards. We will continue to monitor the site into the future.
Q:
Who is in charge of the cleanup?
A:
Plains Midstream Canada is the responsible party for the clean-up. Several agencies including Alberta Environment and the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) are also involved.
Q:
How much oil has been recovered so far?
A:
We've removed all recoverable free oil, and are disposing of oil-contaminated soil at approved waste facilities. Once the oil-contaminated soil has been removed, the reclamation process can begin.
Q:
What kind of monitoring have you done to ensure there are no health concerns?
A:
We have contracted with an independent party to supply the air monitoring equipment positioned at the site and in the hamlet of Little Buffalo. Regulatory agencies are also monitoring air quality. Neither has found unusual levels of hydrocarbons.
Q:
What is your plan to proactively address wildlife issues?
A:
We have undertaken a wide range of activities to protect wildlife. A perimeter fence has been installed around the area to keep four-legged animals from entering the site. To protect birds, we have undertaken a range of actions: thousands of small flags and Mylar ribbons have been strung, movable effigies have been installed, and audio deterrents are in the release zone. We also have four people walking the perimeter with air horns to keep incoming birds away. Alberta Fish and Wildlife is on the scene advising and monitoring our efforts.
Q:
How would Plains Midstream ensure that this kind of leak would not happen in the future?
A:
Our integrity management program meets or exceeds regulatory requirements. The plan combines a number of ongoing maintenance, testing and inspection activities that verify the integrity of the pipeline both externally and internally. We have committed to an expedited schedule to excavate and inspect all sections of the pipeline containing weld-on sleeves.
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