TransCanada found an opportunity to put our pipe integrity knowledge and systems to the test and help out a partially owned entity (POE), Tuscarora Gas Transmission, by developing a comprehensive integrity program. The costs of the program are recovered by TransCanada from Tuscarora, allowing us to spread out our fixed integrity planning costs.

"We are pleased to share some of our expertise with Tuscarora," says Dan King, Director, Pipe Engineering. "We responded to their open bid process and were the successful candidate. Securing this project is another indicator of the quality of our people and processes."
 

New Department of Transportation pipeline safety rules in the United States are the primary driver behind Tuscarora's need for a comprehensive Integrity Management Program.

TransCanada's work will include conducting a sample assessment of a segment of pipeline initially and then moving on to a full system assessment. In addition to providing integrity management services to Tuscarora, we are also looking at the best information technology solutions for Tuscarora to manage and access their pipeline data.

At the end of the project, we'll deliver an Integrity Management Process for Tuscarora to use in developing their annual Pipeline Maintenance Program.

A preliminary review of the Tuscarora system is underway to identify high-consequence risk areas using the new U.S. gas safety rules. High consequence areas are locations along the pipeline where risk is increased because of the proximity to populated areas.

In addition to the work with Tuscarora, TransCanada is assisting other POEs. We are working with Great Lakes Gas Transmission to analyze and assess the potential risk of an exposed pipeline at the Bad River Crossing in Michigan. TransCanada is also responsible for all of the integrity work for Trans Québec and Maritimes Pipeline.

For more information on these and other projects, please contact Dan King at 403.920.6015.