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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Enbridge Pipelines Inc. is conducting an environmental assessment to determine what contaminated the soil in two locations along the pipeline that runs through the Deh Cho.

Between 60 and 70 cubic metres of contaminated soil was discovered beside Enbridge Pipeline Inc.'s line approximately 120 kilometres west of Fort Simpson. Approximately 30 cubic metres of additional contaminated soil was found at a second location. - photo courtesy of Enbridge Pipelines Inc.

Approximately 30 cubic metres of contaminated soil was found around 60 km west of Fort Simpson during the week of Feb. 4. A few days later between 60 and 70 cubic metres of contaminated soil was found approximately 120 km west of Fort Simpson along the pipeline that runs between Norman Wells and Zama, Alta., said Todd Nogier, a spokesperson for Enbridge.

Enbridge has quarantined the soil and is testing to determine the volume and nature of the contaminate. Until the assessments are completed, Nogier said Enbridge can't say for certain what the contaminant is or how it got there.

"We have strong suspicions of what it could be, but we just really want to complete our environmental assessment before making any definitive statements on what it is that's there," he said.

Integrity dig program

The soil was discovered during the company's ongoing integrity dig program. The company uses in-line inspection tools that travel inside the pipeline to gather data. The data is processed to determine if there are any features – points that indicate a flaw in the pipeline – that need to be visually examined.

Enbridge is examining more than 30 flaws that were identified in the pipeline. The contaminated soil was found in two locations where integrity digs were being conducted.

There was no liquid oil found at either site, Nogier said. He couldn't say if the pipe was leaking oil, but said there are "strong suspicions" that the flaws and the contaminated soil may be linked.

"They are very, very small features," he said. "Notwithstanding that, small features can be problematic."

As soon as the contaminated soil was found, the pipeline was shut down and the features were inspected. In both cases another section of pipe, called a sleeve, was welded over the affected sections.

Enbridge believes it has collected all of the contaminated soil, but can't be definite, he said. Nogier said he was conscious of the fact that the May 2011 oil leak on the same line that occurred near Willowlake River was originally estimated at four barrels. Further investigation found that between 700 and 1,500 barrels of sweet crude oil had leaked into the ground affecting 8,980 tonnes of soil.

No workers or wildlife have been injured as a result of the excavation activities, Nogier said. Federal pipeline regulators and members of the local communities have been notified.

Results from the assessment could be available as early as this week, Nogier said. The time line is partially dependent on the weather.

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