Over the month of September, Kinder Morgan Canada completed three emergency response exercises at locations along the Trans Mountain pipeline, including equipment deployment on the Sumas River in Bellingham, WA, the Coquihalla River near Hope, BC, and on the North Thompson River near Blue River, BC.

Each exercise covered land-based instruction on spill response equipment setup, followed by an on-water deployment. The primary objectives of the exercises included testing the suitability of each location as emergency response staging area and the response techniques under various conditions. The exercises also included training of our personnel on containment boom deployment, anchor setting, and the setup and test of oil recovery equipment.

An integral part of our ongoing commitment to safety and emergency preparedness, these exercises are conducted on a regular basis to practice emergency response plans and equipment deployment at various locations and under different conditions. We often invite outside emergency response services, local first responders and regulatory agencies to observe or participate in the drills to ensure an effective and coordinated response in the unlikely event of an emergency.

The North Thompson River deployment, the largest of the three exercises, included the use of three jet boats, KMC’s oil spill containment and recovery trailer, approximately 90 m of river boom, skimmers, hoses, anchors and other equipment. About 40 people participated in the drill, including KMC staff, representatives from government agencies, Aboriginal communities, and emergency responders.

At Kinder Morgan Canada, safety is our top priority. Our focus continues to be on avoiding a spill from occurring through our robust pipeline safety programs. In the unlikely event of an emergency, we have the plans, equipment and expertise to respond effectively if and when needed.