Posted: 02 Mar 2017
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has issued a CAN$172 500 administrative penalty to Murphy Oil Company for a pipeline spill near Peace River in northwestern Alberta, Canada that went undetected between 15 January and 1 March 2015 and released 1429 m3 of condensate. Murphy has since repaired the pipeline and continues to remediate the impacted area.
An investigation found that Murphy failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that the leak detection system was capable of early detection of leaks. It also found that the company failed to evaluate operating or discontinued pipelines, failed to report the release of condensate and failed to conduct remedial actions on the condensate that was released, which caused damage to public lands.
Based on the findings, Murphy was found to have breached requirements in provincial legislation, including the Public Lands Act, the Pipeline Rules, and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
Source: World Pipelines