Operation of Sarnia-Hamilton pipeline restored by TSSA
Sun-Canadian Pipe Line successfully addresses safety concerns after incident in 2013.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has approved an application from Sun-Canadian Pipe Line (SCPL) Company Ltd. to bring its Sarnia-Hamilton pipeline to full operation.
TSSA’s approval comes after over four years of analysis, remediation, construction and testing of the Sarnia-Hamilton pipeline by SCPL and a third-party consultant, Kiefner & Associates, Inc. During that time, TSSA imposed strict operating conditions on the pipeline. This approval allows SCPL’s Sarnia-Hamilton line to operate at full capacity. While no longer subject to the special conditions imposed after the incident, the pipeline must continue to adhere to pipeline safety requirements set out in Ontario’s regulation and code.
Moreover, a return to full operation includes the following new conditions:
- The pipeline shall not exceed the maximum operating pressure (MOP) under normal operating conditions;
- After operating the line at MOP for one week, the line will be inspected using the SmartBall®, a leak detection device that passes through the pipeline;
- Results of the leak detection inspection will be provided to TSSA;
- SCPL will report to TSSA the progress and operation of the pipeline at the MOP on a bi-weekly basis for a period of two months.
TSSA is Ontario’s public safety regulator mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety regulations and to enhance public safety.
Quick Facts
- SCPL’s Sarnia-Hamilton pipeline is an 8-inch pipe that runs 224 kilometres underground between Sarnia and Hamilton. On September 10, 2013, the pipeline ruptured, spilling low-sulphur diesel fuel to the local environment including the St. Clair River in Sarnia.
- TSSA approved the restart of the line in November 2013
- In March 2016, TSSA approved an increase to 85% of MOP under strict operating conditions.
- In addition to fuels and pipelines, TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, operating engineers, ski lifts, and upholstered and stuffed articles.
Additional Resources
- Read TSSA’s approval letter to Sun-Canadian
- Review TSSA’s Pipeline Occurrence report of September 10, 2013
- For more information about TSSA’s fuels program, check out our Fuels page at TSSA.org
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For more information, please contact:
Steve Robinson, Spokesperson
Technical Standards and Safety Authority Telephone: 1-877-682-8772
email: media@tssa.org
For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org.
