CALGARY, ALBERTA — (Marketwired) — 07/11/13 — Enbridge Inc. (TSX: ENB) (NYSE: ENB) today confirmed the return to service of its Line 37 pipeline between Long Lake and Cheecham, Alberta at reduced operating pressure, and the return to full service of the Athabasca Pipeline (Line 19) between Fort McMurray and Cheecham.
Line 37 had been shut down June 22 as a result of a release of light synthetic crude oil caused by high rains which led to 1-in-100 year water levels that triggered ground movement on the right-of-way. The Athabasca Pipeline and other pipelines sharing a corridor with Line 37 had been shut down as a precaution. Following extensive engineering and geotechnical analysis, as well as excavation and inspection at several points on the pipeline, the northern segment of the Athabasca Pipeline was returned to service at reduced pressure July 1; the southern segment has been operating at normal pressure since June 23. The Wood Buffalo Pipeline (Line 75) continues to operate at reduced pressure pending completion of inspection on that line.
The majority of oil released from Line 37 has now been recovered. Industry and environmental regulators have been to the site and Enbridge has been providing regular updates on status of the clean-up, repair and remediation. Based on the amount of oil recovered, Enbridge has revised its estimate of the volume of light crude oil spilled to 1,300 barrels.
Enbridge has identified and implemented measures to mitigate ground forces on these lines and will continue such work so as to ensure all pipelines can be operated safely. Enbridge anticipates returning Line 37 and the Wood Buffalo pipelines to full pressure and capacity, although timing for completion cannot yet be determined.
The Waupisoo Pipeline (Line 18) between Cheecham and Edmonton is operating at normal pressure. The Woodland Pipeline (Line 49) between Fort McMurray and Cheecham had been in the process of linefill at the time of the shutdown; linefill activities into Cheecham are continuing.
About Enbridge Inc.
Enbridge Inc., a Canadian company, is a North American leader in delivering energy and one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. As a transporter of energy, Enbridge operates, in Canada and the U.S., the world–s longest crude oil and liquids transportation system. The Company also has a significant and growing involvement in natural gas gathering, transmission and midstream businesses, and an increasing involvement in power transmission. As a distributor of energy, Enbridge owns and operates Canada–s largest natural gas distribution company, and provides distribution services in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. As a generator of energy, Enbridge has interests in more than 1,600 megawatts of renewable and alternative energy generating capacity and is expanding its interests in wind and solar energy and geothermal. Enbridge employs approximately 10,000 people, primarily in Canada and the U.S. and is ranked as one of Canada–s Greenest Employers, and one of the Top 100 Companies to Work for in Canada. Enbridge–s common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit .
Certain information provided in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate”, “expect”, “project”, “estimate”, “forecast” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Enbridge believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties pertaining to operating performance, regulatory parameters, weather, economic conditions and commodity prices. You can find a discussion of those risks and uncertainties in our Canadian securities filings and American SEC filings. While Enbridge makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Enbridge assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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