The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has released its report regarding a pipeline rupture that occurred near Edson in 2024, stating a crack caused the incident.
On April 16, 2024, a pipeline operated by TC Energy ruptured, exploded and caused a fire northwest of Edson. No injuries were reported and no public evacuations were required.
An investigation found the pipeline’s operating pressure increased to the point it caused an existing crack to rupture. Officials determined the crack was caused by “near-neutral pH stress corrosion cracking,” a result of soil conditions and the pipeline’s failing protective coating.
According to the report, the crack leading to the rupture was identified in 2022 during an in-line inspection, but was classified as non-reportable. As a result, it wasn’t included in subsequent inspection processes or risk assessments.
Officials say these in-line inspections are useful tools for pipeline management, but they rely heavily on human interpretation, introducing the possibility for error.
After the incident, TC Energy applied pressure restrictions on the pipeline during additional inspections adjacent to the incident location. Another in-line inspection and excavations were also completed to verify the integrity of the structure.
You can read the full report here.
