By Clark Stork

SaskEnergy says unreported damage to gas pipeline caused rupture

Mar 23, 2018 | 12:00 PM

Saskatchewan’s natural gas provider said third-party damage to a pipeline in the Melfort region was responsible for a rupture that caused 4,500 customers to lose energy service.

On Jan. 10 a ruptured gas line in a farmer’s field between Weldon and Birch Hills caused an outage affecting a large portion of the northeast region. SaskEnergy spokesperson Casey MacLeod said the previous, unreported damage was to blame for the rupture.

“There was mechanical damage to the outside of the pipeline,” she told northeastNOW. “Several gouge marks caused by a backhoe or similar machinery were discovered on the line. At the time the damage occurred the pipeline didn’t rupture, but over the years the damaged section continued to weaken.”

Residents in St. Brieux initially contacted SaskEnergy to report a disruption in service, the calls started to flood in from clients in Kinistino and Melfort. Emergency crews descended on the region, going door-to-door assisting residents restoring heat and checking furnaces once the line was repaired around 24 hours after the original break. MacLeod said the investigation into the cause is complete, and potential charges are looming.

“Initially we were focused on finding what caused the rupture. Now that we are aware that there was third-party damage, we will move into the phase to determine who caused the damage,” she said.

Trades in Sask.

Skilled trades need not limited to building homes

Apr 17, 2024

Power outages

Several communities affected by power outages

Apr 17, 2024

UFA coming to Melfort

UFA to build petroleum site along Highway 41 in Melfort

Apr 17, 2024

Nobody was hurt in the incident and the Crown corporation couldn’t pinpoint exactly when the damage occurred, but the line was last inspected in 2015. MacLeod said an incident such as this is a good reminder of why it’s important to “dial before you dig.”

“If you contact a natural gas line, or even think you did, just give us a call. We’re available 24 hours a day. We will come check it out. If you didn’t hit a line, we will check it out free of charge. If you didn’t hit a line, we will do a safety check but if you did a proactive repair on something like this is much quicker, simpler, and cheaper than a large-scale repair,” she said.

SaskEnergy crews from Yorkton, Prince Albert, and Saskatoon were forced to come to the region following the incident to assist residents without heat.

clark.stork@jpbg.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork