OUR APPROACH

Our integrity management program is in place to:

  • monitor our assets,
  • identify and mitigate risks; and
  • maintain the long-term integrity of our pipelines and facilities.

We've implemented programs to ensure we observe robust, consistent maintenance practices across the organization. Our Pressure Equipment Quality Management System and Pipeline Integrity Management Program allows us to carefully monitor and maintain the integrity of our assets. 

Our integrity management plans are registered and regularly audited by the various authorities in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

Activities undertaken to manage pipeline integrity include conducting regular in line and other inspections, assessing and completing system repairs, applying chemicals to mitigate potential corrosion, using right-of-way surveillance to minimize the risk of third-party damage and conducting depth of cover surveys. We provide training for field personnel on responsible spill response to ensure protection of the ecosystems that surround our facilities.

We supplement these programs with a comprehensive Asset Management and Reliability (AMR) Program which uses standardized processes and industry leading technology to manage, maintain and report on equipment reliability performance across all our assets.

Prioritizing process safety

Process safety focuses on preventing releases of hazardous material or energy that could result in significant harm to people and the environment. Excellence in process safety is achieved by applying good design, engineering, and operating and maintenance practices.

Our process safety team works with our business units and project teams to anticipate, manage, and control hazards. They emphasize the importance of creating and monitoring barriers and controls that would prevent an incident from occurring.

Small signals lead to big improvements

Part of our process safety focus involves closely evaluating minor events, known as small signals. By identifying causes and trends from minor incidents, we can identify failed barriers, potential issues, and controls that can be proactively addressed.

For example, piping failures around connections and valves often present a common equipment-related small signal. We shared this information broadly across our operating, integrity, and engineering teams, and in response they have established corrosion circuit systems and are putting an increased focus on piping within our integrity management system.