Update: The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 19 December 2017.
Crude oil leak
Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
Edmonton North Terminal
Sherwood Park, Alberta
Occurrence summary
On 20 March 2017, at approximately 1445 Mountain Daylight Time, Enbridge Pipelines Inc. discovered traces of crude oil on the water surface in an unnamed creek that runs through the company's Edmonton North Terminal. The source of the product leak was identified to be a 3-inch ball valve from nearby Tank 7. An estimated 10 cubic metres of product was released into the tank's secondary containment berm, of which approximately 3 cubic metres was released from the berm into the creek by way of the berm storm water drainage system. The released product did not reach the North Saskatchewan River. The entire product was recovered. There were no injuries and no evacuation was required.
Media materials
News release
Lack of detailed inspection procedures contributed to a March 2017 crude oil leak at the Enbridge Terminal in Sherwood Park, Alberta
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to a pipeline occurrence at a storage facility near Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, 21 March 2017 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the site of a pipeline occurrence at a storage facility near Edmonton, Alberta. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
P17H0019
Crude oil leak
Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
Edmonton North Terminal
Sherwood Park, Alberta
Investigator-in-charge
Before joining the TSB in 2011, Manuel Kotchounian worked nearly 10 years at Transport Canada, where he held various positions including remedial measures specialist and means of containment specialist. Prior to that, Mr. Kotchounian worked at the National Energy Board as a senior pipeline engineer, providing technical expertise in public hearings, inquiries, and investigations related to pipelines and public safety, acquiring experience in regulatory affairs and technical matters pertaining to pipelines, pressure vessels, tank cars, and dangerous goods. Mr. Kotchounian holds a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Applied Sciences from l'École Polytechnique de Montréal, and is a registered professional engineer in Ontario.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.