Proposed Redwillow Project
Project Description Highlights
• The proposed Redwillow Pipeline will transport dehydrated sour gas from
the Tumbler Ridge area. The pipeline will be up to 323.9 mm diameter (12
inch), and will be designed to transport 1,982,000 cubic metres per day
(70 MMscfd) of natural gas containing up to 30% hydrogen sulphide
(H2S).
• The proposed Redwillow Pipeline includes approximately 150 km of
pipeline from southwest of Tumbler Ridge, BC connecting with the
SemCAMS operated Northwest Wapiti, Wapiti and Simonette pipeline
system near Grovedale, Alberta at 12-30-68-8 W6M.
• The processing will occur at the existing SemCAMS operated sour gas
processing facility, Kaybob South No. 3 (K3) Gas Plant located at
01-15-59-18 W5M.
• The existing SemCAMS operated Northwest Wapiti operated pipeline will
be expanded under a separate application which will accommodate the
new volumes.
• The proposed pipeline will operate at a maximum operation pressure
(MAOP) of 14,600 kPa.
Safety
• In order to minimize the risk associated with
operating the pipeline, and reduce the extent of
the EPZ, the proposed Redwillow and the NPSE
pipeline will be divided into a number of
segments by the installation of strategically
placed Emergency Shutdown Valves (ESV).
• These valves minimize the volume of sour gas
that could be released in the event of a pipeline
failure by automatically closing if there is a
sudden loss of pressure.
Emergency Shutdown Valve
Proposed Redwillow Project
Emergency Planning
• The Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) is the required area where public
protection activities are initiated in the event of an emergency.
• In order to minimize the risk associated with operating the pipeline, and
to reduce the extent of the EPZ, the pipeline will be divided into a
number of segments by the installation of strategically placed
Emergency Shutdown Valves (ESDV).
• The anticipated size of the EPZ for the pipeline depends on the
population density, with a smaller EPZ in populated areas and a larger
zone in non-populated areas. The anticipated EPZ radius will be
approximately 14 km in populated areas and 30 km in non-populated
regions.
• SemCAMS has an excellent record in protecting the health and safety of
the public, its employees and its contractors.
• All of SemCAMS’ operating units conduct regular emergency
preparedness exercises to ensure the existing plans and responses are
timely and effective.
• It is SemCAMS' desire and intention to engage and work together with
the affected stakeholders to develop an Emergency Response Plan
(ERP) for the proposed Redwillow Pipeline.
Proposed Redwillow Project
Project Schedule
Construction
Construction Steps
Pipe delivery and storage plans
Welding and Inspection
The pipe will be delivered to strategic
locations along the route and it will be
neatly stacked in designated areas as
required for construction plans.
Sections of pipe are welded together
to form one continuous pipe and bent
as needed to fit the trench contour. The
welds and pipe coating are inspected for
conformance to external standards.
Preparing the right-of-way
Clearing – all impediments to construction
including trees, boulders and brush are
cleared.
Grading – on freehold lands topsoil
will be stripped and stored separately
for replacement. Limited grading is
undertaken, as needed to facilitate
movement of construction equipment.
Permanent right-of-way – generally will
be 25 metres wide.
Temporary workspace – may be required
at specific locations to facilitate soil
storage, erosion containment, equipment
set-up and operation and pipe stringing,
especially at waterway, road, and utility
crossings.
Stringing and Trenching
The pipeline will be typically buried 1.5
metres deep. The depth of cover may vary
depending on location and the type of
surface activities above the pipeline.
Lower-in and Backfill
The welded piping string is lowered
uniformly into the trench and carefully
covered with the previously excavated
soils.
Clean up and Restoration
Right-of-way is restored to resemble as
close as possible its original condition and
revegetated with approved seed mixes.
Proposed Redwillow Project
Emergency Response Planning
Levels of Emergency and Public Safety Actions
Emergency
Level
Alert
Examples:
•Unconfirmed odor
complaint
Criteria
Potential Emergency Situation
•No danger outside company property
•Handled on site
•Immediate control and progressive resolution
Hazard
Area
Public Safety
Actions
Company
plant site or
pipeline
right-ofway
•Investigate and assess
•BC does not recognize
an Alert Level condition
•Instrument alarm
Level 1
Low Impact Emergency Situation
Examples:
•Confined to company property
•No immediate danger to public
•Handled on site
•At a Level 1 emergency, evacuation of the EPZ
is voluntary
•Confirmed odor
complaint
•Small spill, release
or fire
Level 2
Examples:
•Spill or hazardous
release or fire
beyond company
property
Company
plant site or
pipeline
right-ofway
•Notify and inform those
in the EPZ who have
requested a Level 1
notification that
evacuation is available
•Open designated
•Reception Centre
Medium Impact Emergency
Situation
EPZ
•No immediate potential for off-site impact
•Moderate danger to the public
•Outside services, local authorities and
government agencies must be alerted
•At Level 2 evacuation of EPZ is required
•Notify and inform those
in the EPZ and request
evacuation and/or
sheltering
•Conduct air-monitoring
•Conduct ground and
aerial searches of EPZ
•Sour gas release in
low volume and
limited duration and
cannot be shut off
by operator
•Set up roadblocks
Level 3
High Impact Emergency Situation
Examples:
•Imminent control of hazard is not possible
•Outside services required
•All government agencies involved
•At Level 3 evacuation of EPZ is required
•Sour gas flow to
atmosphere that
can’t be immediately
controlled
•Implement control
measures to prevent
injuries and damage
EPZ may
be
expanded
•Continue ground and
aerial search of EPZ
•Continue air-monitoring
and expand EPZ based
on results
•Ignite sour gas release
if public safety at risk
Proposed Redwillow Project
Emergency Response Planning
ERP EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION FLOW CHART
INCIDENT
INITIAL RESPONDER(S)
ON-SITE PRESONNEL
OPERATIONS SECTION CHIEF (ON-SCENE COMMANDER)
• Operations Supervisor
LOCAL EMS
SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORS
• Senior On-Site Company Representative
DEPUTY CRISIS MANAGER
INCIDENT COMMANDER
• Operating Centre / Pipeline Superintendent
CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY REGULATORY AUTHORITY
PLANNING & LOGISTICS SECTION CHIEF
PROVINCIAL PUBLIC SAFETY ORGANIZATION
EVACUATION SUPERVISOR
LOCAL MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES
•
County, Municipal District and/or Regional District
• City and/or Town Disaster Services Organizations
EVACUATION TELEPHONE PERSONNEL
EVACUATION CONTACTS
RCMP or LOCAL POLICE
REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITIES
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AUTHORTITIES
• Public Lands; Forestry; Fish & Wildlife
ENVIRONMENT AUTHORITIES
Area Residents; Area Users; Trappers;
General Public; and Other Area Operators
DESIGNATED RECEPTION (EVACUATION)
CENTRE(S)
RECEPTION CENTRE REPRESENTAIVE(S)
AIR MONITORING, EVACUATION &
ROADBLOCK PERONNEL
• Plant and / or Pipeline Operations Personnel
• Other Area Operators
• Industry Support Personnel / Companies
- Contract Safety Company Personnel
- Local Contractors / Service Personnel
MOBILE AIR MONITORING COMPANY
WORKERS’ SAFETY AUTHORITIES
• WH&S / WCB
HELICOPTER COMPANY
INDUSTRY SUPPORT SERVICES
INTERNAL CONTACTS
EXTERNAL CONTACTS
GOVERNMENT & LOCAL AUTHORITY CONTACTS
MUTUAL ASSISTANCE RESPONDERS
Proposed Redwillow Project
Setbacks and Right-Of-Way
• A setback is defined as the minimum separation between oil and gas
facilities and dwellings and public facilities. When determining the
pipeline route, SemCAMS proposes to maintain an average setback of
at least 500 metres between the proposed pipeline and any permanent
dwelling.
• The width of the proposed permanent right-of-way will generally be 25
metres. Extra width may be acquired along certain sections to meet
safety and operating requirements.
• During construction, temporary workspace will be required at river,
creek, road and utility crossings, as well as, areas requiring extensive
grading. This temporary workspace is only required during construction
and will not be necessary once construction is complete.
• The amount of temporary workspace required will vary depending on the
terrain, presence of adjacent land uses and the nature of the
construction activity being carried out at a particular location. The width
of temporary workspace is typically 30 metres, but can range from 15
metres to over 40 metres at select locations.
Proposed Redwillow Project
Regulatory Information
The Redwillow Pipeline Project involves crossing a provincial boundary and
therefore approval for it will require the preparation of an application to the
National Energy Board (NEB).
SemCAMS plans to proceed with the regulatory application for the proposed
project early in the fourth quarter of 2007. This includes an application to the
NEB to satisfy Section 52 of the NEB Act.
National Energy Board (NEB)
Telephone:
Address:
Email:
Website:
1-800-899-1265
444 Seventh Ave. S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 0X8
[email protected]
www.neb-one.gc.ca
Proposed Redwillow Project
Environmental and Socio-Economic
Assessment
An Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment must be undertaken in
support of the National Energy Board (NEB) application, and to meet the
requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The NEB Filing
Manual provides specific direction as to the nature and scope of the work to be
undertaken, including the details of the biophysical, social and economic
elements to be studied, surveyed, analyzed, and which collectively provide the
information to conduct an impact assessment for the proposed project.
Studies being performed include:
• Wildlife Survey
• Fish and Habitat Assessment
• Heritage Resources Impact Assessment (HRIA)
• Wetlands Survey
• Soils Survey
• Vegetation Studies
• Traditional Land and Resource Use
• Socio-cultural Assessment
• Economic Assessment
• Cumulative Effects Assessment