CALGARY – The Canada Energy Regulator says it is responding to a pipeline rupture and explosion that sparked a wildfire on Crown land about 40 kilometres from Edson on Monday morning.
The natural gas pipeline belongs to TC Energy’s NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. and is a natural gas gathering and transportation system in Alberta and northeastern BC.
According to the CER, preliminary information indicates that a 36” natural gas pipeline ruptured around 10:45 a.m. on April 16, 2024. All TC Energy personnel working nearby were safely evacuated and there are no reported injuries and the affected section of the pipeline is currently shut in.
Alberta Wildfire says the fire is “being held”. This means that given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries. The burned area is located 28 km north northeast of Obed Lake, 35 km northwest of Edson and 55 km northeast of Hinton and is estimated to be 10 hectares in size.
TC Energy reported to the regulator that it notified nearby communities, and there were no direct impacts to landowners or Indigenous communities. CER says the company is working with local authorities and has activated its Emergency Response Plan.
The company says within the right-of-way, there are two other TC Energy pipelines that are operational at a reduced pressure and there are no commercial impacts at this time.
CER inspectors will be onsite to monitor and assess the company’s immediate response and verify that all reasonable actions are being taken to protect workers, the public and the environment.
In an emergency, the CER works with the company and federal, provincial and territorial partners, as applicable, to coordinate the response. The CER’s priority in any emergency is to make sure that people are safe and that property and the environment are protected.
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