Canadian gas line rupture impacts Pacific Northwest’s energy infrastructure approach

A Canadian gas line rupture near Prince George, British Columbia, earlier this month has prompted reconsideration of how energy infrastructure, including storage, is addressed in the Pacific Northwest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

On Oct. 9 a rupture on Enbridge’s 36-inch diameter mainline, BC Pipeline, reduced U.S. natural gas imports from Canada into the Pacific Northwest. EIA noted the BC Pipeline links upstream natural gas production in northeastern British Columbia with downstream distribution markets in southern British Columbia and deliveries into the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

As a result of the BC Pipeline outage, Pacific Northwest natural gas flows have changed, EIA said, adding during the 30 days before the incident, Northwest Pipeline’s natural gas receipts at the Sumas border point averaged more than 1 billion cubic feet per day, but as of the afternoon on Oct. 11, Northwest Pipeline flows were zero according to the Northwest Pipeline informational postings on its electronic bulletin board.

Officials said available short-term Pacific Northwest options include generating more electricity from hydroelectric facilities and other non-natural gas sources; decreasing natural gas deliveries to electric generators on the Northwest Pipeline; reducing Pacific Northwest electricity exports to California; relying more on Pacific Region natural gas storage withdrawals; and
making public appeals to conserve natural gas.