(Newswire.net — May 30, 2013) Calgary, AB — Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project to build a pipeline to carry crude from the Alberta oilsands to Kitimit on British Columbia’s West Coast has communities arguing over the potential benefits and environmental risks.
Weighing the advantages and the disadvantages is key to understanding the effect the pipeline can have on the economy, environment, communities affected by the project and the rest of Canada.
Looking at the advantages it is certain the pipeline will provide jobs to boost economic growth in communities along the pipeline, provincially and nationally. Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) (TSE:ENB) notes on its website that the, “Northern Gateway Project will create 550 long-term jobs in B.C., 380 in Alberta and 210 in the rest of Canada for a total of 1150 long term jobs. Also there will be 270 billion in growth to Canada’s GDP over 30 years.”
Pipe fabrication & manufacturing is done according to industry standards and specifications to ensure safe delivery of oil and gas fuels. After the pipe is manufactured it undergoes various testing phases and inspection services including visual inspection, protective coatings inspection, x-ray inspection to name a few.
Pipelines have been proven to be the safest and most reliable mode of transport. According to Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA), “Our most recent statistics show that 99.99 per cent of liquid products were transported safely between 2002 and 2011.”
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada report that only five pipeline accidents were reported to the TSB in 2011, down from the 2010 total of 11, and below the 2006–2010 average of 9.
Another advantage is the difficulties in handling large amount of products by rail from one loading point is reduced. Findings also show minimum transit loss.
The disadvantages to laying pipelines, including the initial cost of environmental studies, pipeline construction is very expensive. Over time the pipeline could corrode and cause leakage. The Pembina Institute, natural Resources Defense Council and the Living Oceans Society, which issued a joint report on the proposed pipeline in November 2011 stated, “Diluted bitumen may weaken pipelines at a quicker rate than conventional oil because of its acidic, sulphuric, abrasive and viscous nature.”
This is minimized by treatment of the pipe with anti-corrosive coating supplemented with cathodic protection along with increased inspections and pipeline maintenance. New and innovative technologies like digital sensors are being tested, these sensors would help lower the risks of leakage even further.
Pipelines can become damaged by natural disasters or sabotage resulting in contamination of soil and groundwater the costs for clean-up could be astronomical. These occurrences are a lot harder if not impossible to control. Some other disadvantages are slower delivery to a limitation of fixed points.
“Oilfield Directory offers oil and gas company information, recognizing the need for inspection services such as pipe inspection, tank inspection, infrared thermography, calibrations services and more we have oil and gas companies and contractors who are committed to the safety of individuals as well as the environment .” notes a company spokesman for oilfielddirectory.com
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Sources
http://www.northerngateway.ca/economic-opportunity/
http://www.cepa.com/pipeline-industry-priority-zero-leaks
http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/stats/pipeline/2011/ss11.asp