Pipeline Incidents in Alberta Down Nearly 50%

The number of oil and gas pipeline incidents in Alberta has dropped by nearly 50% over the last decade, according to a report released today by the Alberta Energy Regulator.

The number of oil and gas pipeline incidents in Alberta has dropped by nearly 50%over the last 10 years, according to a report released today by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).

The Pipeline Performance Report shows pipeline incidents fell by 48%, from 800 incidents in 2008 to 417 incidents in 2017. At the same time, the length of pipelines increased by 11% to 426,000 km. In 2017 alone, pipeline incidents declined by 6% over the previous year, with 62% of incidents resulting in less than one cubic meter of product released. Furthermore, 80% of pipeline incidents last year had little to no impacts on the public, wildlife, or environment. 

“The continued reduction in incidents shows that companies are getting better at managing the risks of their pipelines and that the steps we’re taking to keep them safe are working,” said AER President and CEO Jim Ellis.

The report is part of the AER’s industry performance program, which launched in 2016 to measure, evaluate and report on energy development activities that the AER regulates and to help improve the performance of oil and gas companies.