TransCanada – Pipeline Safety

Blaine Trout, Manager – Canadian Pipeline Projects

February 18th, 2014

TransCanada Corporation (TSX/NYSE: TRP)

• TransCanada is a leading North

American energy infrastructure

company with over 60 years of

experience in energy transportation.

• Approximately $48 billion of premium

pipeline and energy assets.

• The organization employs over 4,900

people in nearly 50 professions, trades

and fields, located in 7 provinces and 32

states.

• Network of approximately 68,500 km of

wholly owned and 11,500 km of

partially owned natural gas pipelines

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TransCanada Pipeline Safety Overview

• Pipelines are the safest method of transporting the huge volumes of natural gas

that must be moved throughout Canada every day

• Safety of the public, employees and the environment is the top priority of

TransCanada’s pipeline integrity programs  

• In the over 60 years TransCanada has operated pipelines there have been no

injuries to members of the public as a result of the operation of our assets

•  Safety and reliability is the key to ensuring TransCanada and the pipeline

industry are able to continue operating and building energy infrastructure in North

America for years to come

Our goal is for zero pipeline incidents

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Multifaceted Pipeline Safety

1) Design

2) Environmental Considerations

3) Construction

4) Operations

5) Maintenance

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Design

• Materials

• Thicker walled pipe (ie. Crossings)

• High strength steel: X80 (Grade 550) and X100 (Grade 690)

• Crossing design technologies

• New trenchless crossing techniques (ie. Direct Pipe)

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Design

• Geohazard Assessments

• Examples:

• Unstable slopes, such as landslides

• Seismic hazards

• Lateral and vertical migration of watercourses at crossings

• Permafrost expansive or collapsible soils

• Risk Control Techniques:

• Avoidance (routing)

• Stabilization (re-alignment, heavy wall, wider ditch to allow for

engineered backfill to allow pipe to move)

• Monitoring (slope indicators, strain gauges, visual inspection)

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Environmental Considerations

• Traditional Land Use

• Route (Minimize Disturbance)

• Watercourses and Wetlands

• Vegetation

• Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat

• Species at Risk

• Air Quality and Noise

• Archaeology / Paleontological

Opportunity: Engagement

Utilize Local Knowledge - Collaboration

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Construction

• Advancements in Welding Techniques

Dual Torch Mechanized Welding

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Construction

• Advancements in Coating Technologies

• Inside Diameter Coating

Automated Coating Machines

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Construction

• TransCanada Inspection through construction process

• Material manufacturing (pipe, valves, etc.)

• Shop fabrication

• Pipeline installation

• Non-Destructive Examination

• Examination of the entire

circumference of each joint by

radiographic or ultrasonic

methods

• Goal: To ensure the integrity of

each joint

Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT)

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Operations & Maintenance Activities

• Aerial Patrol: Regular inspection of pipeline route using low-flying helicopters and planes

• Cover Surveys: Investigations in areas where we suspect wind or water erosion may have reduced depth of cover

• Geotechnical Monitoring: Visual inspection, installed slope indicators and strain gauges

• Hydrostatic Testing: Completed during the installation of all new pipelines, and when further investigation of an existing line is required

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Operations & Maintenance

• In-line Inspection (‘pigging’): Specialized internal inspection devices called ‘smart pigs’ travel through the pipeline collecting data. The data is analyzed to determine if there are areas of concern which require further investigation

• New In-line inspection tool (Electro Magnetic Acoustic Transducer)

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Operations & Maintenance

• Cathodic Protection: a low-voltage electric current is induced in the vicinity of the pipeline to inhibit pipeline corrosion

• Investigative Digs: Sections of pipeline are excavated to examine the condition and to ensure integrity

• 24 Hour Gas Control Center: Staff can detect changes in pressure along pipeline and can ensure pipelines are operating correctly

• In 2012 TransCanada invested $900 MM in PL integrity and proactive maintenance programs

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Thank You

Questions