Natural gas supply still limited despite completed Enbridge pipeline repair

Until both Enbridge-owned pipelines are back at full operating pressure, FortisBC will have a constrained supply of natural gas

FortisBC is doing everything possible to ensure natural gas is available for our customers. — Photo courtesy Fortis BC

On October 31, Enbridge reported that it had completed repairs on its 36-inch natural gas transmission pipeline that had ruptured on October 9 near Prince George and that the company planned to bring the line back into operation. The pipeline will not be at full capacity once it restarts. Rather, it will start at about 55 per cent operating pressure and gradually ramp up to 80 per cent through November.

Reports of the pipeline repairs have caused some confusion on what this means for FortisBC’s natural gas supply and whether natural gas conservation is still required.

Until both Enbridge-owned pipelines are back at full operating pressure, FortisBC will have a constrained supply of natural gas and our gas system will be vulnerable during periods of colder weather. While bringing Enbridge’s full transmission to 80 per cent will be a positive step, it is not enough natural gas to support the typical winter natural gas consumption of our entire customer base.

As such, FortisBC is asking all customers to continue to conserve natural gas whenever possible throughout the winter. We continue to work to ensure that all of our customers have the natural gas they need this winter by working with industrial customers to optimize their energy use, maximizing the output of the Southern Crossing pipeline from Alberta and securing natural gas supply from the open marketplace to access in times of higher demand. Regular information updates are being planned to provide our customers with the latest information to help guide their conservation choices.

For more information see: https://www.fortisbc.com/MediaCentre/BCsNaturalGasSupplyIsLimited/Pages/default.aspx