The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 4 March 2020.
Pipeline rupture and fire
Westcoast Energy Inc.
Prince George, British Columbia
The occurrence
On , at about 1725 Pacific Daylight Time, a 914.4 mm (36-inch) pipeline operated by Enbridge Inc. that was transporting sweet natural gas ruptured about 13 km northeast of Prince George, British Columbia (BC). Following the rupture, the natural gas ignited, resulting in a fire. Some 125 people within a 2 km radius of the occurrence location were evacuated as a precaution. There were no injuries.
Safety communications
Safety advisory
Pipeline transportation safety advisory letter 617-02/19: Management of stress corrosion cracking on susceptible pipelines
Media materials
News release
Stress corrosion cracking led to October 2018 pipeline rupture and fire near Prince George, British Columbia
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to a pipeline rupture near Prince George, British Columbia
Richmond, British Columbia, 10 October 2018 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) deploys a team of investigators to the site of a gas pipeline rupture and fire that occurred yesterday near Prince George, British Columbia. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
P18H0088
Pipeline rupture and fire
Westcoast Energy Inc.
Prince George, British Columbia
Investigator-in-charge
Jennifer Philopoulos has 15 years of experience in the Oil and Gas industry. She joined the TSB in 2015 as a pipeline engineering expert and senior investigator based out of the Dartmouth, NS regional office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Dalhousie University.
Prior to joining the TSB, Jennifer began her career with Shell at their Oil Sands Upgrading facility, as a site materials and corrosion engineer. Most recently, she has worked as a consulting engineer, providing materials and corrosion expertise to the Oil and Gas industry.
Her experience has focused on corrosion assessments evaluating the conditions of materials in refineries and pipelines in order to prevent premature failures. This includes performing and developing risk based inspection programs, preventative maintenance programs and supporting fitness for service assessments. She has also preformed and supported metallurgical forensic work on various failed components.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
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.