October 1, 2020: Trans Mountain is near completion of the response phase at the Sumas Pump Station in Abbotsford, BC, following a release in June 2020. Trans Mountain continues to work in close cooperation with Stó:lō representatives, including Semá:th First Nation, regarding monitoring and site activities.
An Action Plan is being developed in accordance with the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) Remediation Process Guide and will outline the remediation strategy for the next year.
Trans Mountain has provided written reports on site activities, waste volumes, groundwater monitoring and sampling results to regulators (CER, Environment and Climate Change Canada and BC Ministry of Environment) and Indigenous community representatives. Daily groundwater monitoring of 40 monitoring wells, along with air monitoring, have not indicated any risk to the public or surrounding community and there has been no migration of product off the Trans Mountain facility property.
Trans Mountain has conducted a thorough investigation into the incident and has fully cooperated with the Transportation Safety Board and the CER. Our assessment is that the release is related to a fitting on a small diameter (1”) piece of pipe connected to the mainline.
All COVID-19 protocols are being followed at the site of the cleanup.
August 7, 2020, 9:00 am PDT –Trans Mountain has made significant progress in its clean-up and remediation efforts at the Sumas Pump Station in Abbotsford, BC, at the site of a June 13, 2020 release.
Recovery efforts remain ongoing and Trans Mountain continues to provide written reports on site activities, waste volumes, groundwater monitoring and sampling results to regulators (Canada Energy Regulator, Environment and Climate Change Canada and BC Ministry of Environment) and Indigenous community representatives. Daily groundwater monitoring of 40 monitoring wells along with air monitoring have not indicated any risk to the public or community and no oil has left Trans Mountain property.
Representatives from the Semath First Nation continue to visit the site regularly and a cultural ceremony was held on July 30 prior to Trans Mountain re-seeding a portion of the excavated area on Trans Mountain property outside of the Sumas Pump Station.
Trans Mountain is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and is fully cooperating with the investigative efforts of the Transportation Safety Board and the Canada Energy Regulator. Our initial assessment is that the release is related to a fitting on a small diameter (1”) piece of pipe connected to the mainline and an inspection procedure has been developed and inspection of all similar fittings across the Trans Mountain system is underway.
All COVID-19 protocols are being followed both at the site of the cleanup.
July 20, 2020, 9:00 am PDT – Trans Mountain is continuing with clean-up and restoration efforts at the site of the Sumas Pump Station release that occurred on June 13, 2020. Crews continue to work around the clock.
Trans Mountain continues to excavate soil and released product at the site. Excavation in the field adjacent to the station site is complete and efforts continue in the vicinity of the release location.
Trans Mountain continues to monitor and test water quality at the site. In addition to the 20 original water wells located at the pump station, the company drilled 10 additional wells to increase access and monitoring of groundwater. Water monitoring data indicates there is no harm to area drinking water.
Trans Mountain continues to undertake its own investigation into the incident and is fully co-operating with the Transportation Safety Board investigation.
All Trans Mountain restoration efforts have been conducted in coordination with the Semath First Nation and provincial and federal regulators through site visits and bi-weekly meetings. These meetings provide the opportunity for review of all environmental monitoring data and ensure all parties have input and understanding of the remediation and restoration planning.
All COVID-19 protocols continue to be followed at the site.
June 24, 2020, 10:30 a.m. PDT – Trans Mountain continues the process of remediation at the site of its oil release at the Sumas Pump Station in Abbotsford, B.C.
As part of its remediation efforts, Trans Mountain immediately removed all standing oil and continues to excavate contaminated soil while monitoring air quality and groundwater. Environmental response efforts are currently focused on prompt excavation and removal of contaminated soil from the site to minimize residual contamination and protect groundwater. Trans Mountain continues to work 24 hours a day at the Sumas pump stations with a workforce of approximately 70 people.
Trans Mountain has increased the frequency of testing the 20 existing monitoring wells located at the site and current results show no change to the safety of water quality. Additional wells are being installed to expand the area monitored and tests are being shared with regulators.
Ongoing site remediation plans, that will mitigate residual contamination, will be considered and approved by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). Trans Mountain has initiated a full investigation into the incident including testing the failed piping, as well as reviewing operating procedures and site configuration.
Trans Mountain continues to work with area Indigenous groups and regulators, including the CER, Transportation Safety Board and BC Ministry of Environment in the oversight and clean-up of this incident. Indigenous representatives have visited the site and monitors are assisting the effort, including the undertaking of archeological investigations on site. Clean-up and remediation will continue in coordination with regulators, Indigenous groups and the local community.
June 19, 2020, 8:30 a.m. PDT - Trans Mountain’s Incident Command Post has been stood down and the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) has concluded its on-site response.
Clean-up and remediation work at the Sumas Pump Station will continue with the CER Remediation Process Guide. This includes ongoing air and groundwater monitoring.
Trans Mountain is fully cooperating with investigative efforts of the Canada Energy Regulator and Transportation Safety Board.
June 16, 2020, 5:00 p.m. PDT – Site clean-up continues at the Sumas Pump Station in Abbotsford, BC. Crews have been working around the clock and removal of all surface level product is complete. Removal of contaminated soil is underway and expected to take approximately four weeks.
Environmental monitoring is ongoing and has identified no risk to the public or community. Indigenous monitors continue to have access to the site around the clock. An archaeological study and cultural monitoring are included as part of the cleanup and remediation efforts.
The Incident Command Post remains active and the company continues to work with local authorities, area Indigenous groups and regulators, including the Canada Energy Regulator (CER), Transportation Safety Board (TSB) and BC Ministry of Environment (BCMOE) in the oversight and clean-up of this incident. The CER Remediation Process Guide will drive Trans Mountain’s assessment and remediation planning process moving forward.
Trans Mountain is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and fully cooperating with the investigative efforts of the Transportation Safety Board and the Canada Energy Regulator. All COVID-19 protocols are being followed both at the Incident Command Post and at the site of the clean-up.
June 14, 2020, 5:30 p.m. PDT – Following all necessary procedures and safety protocols, the Trans Mountain Pipeline was re-started at approximately 2:00 p.m. PDT today.
The pipeline was shut down on June 13, 2020, as a result of a release that occurred at its Sumas Pump Station in Abbotsford, B.C.
The site has permanent groundwater monitoring in place and air monitoring continues. Monitoring has not identified any risk to the public or community.
An Incident Command Post remains active and the company continues to work with local authorities, area Indigenous groups and regulators, including the Canada Energy Regulator (CER), Transportation Safety Board (TSB) and BC Ministry of Environment (BCMOE) in the oversight and clean-up of this incident. Indigenous representatives have visited the site and monitors are assisting the effort. Clean-up and remediation will continue in coordination with regulators, Indigenous groups and the local community.
All COVID-19 protocols are being followed both at the Incident Command Post and at the site of the clean-up.
Updates will be posted as new information becomes available at www.transmountain.com.
June 14, 2020, 1:00 p.m. PDT – Trans Mountain is continuing with clean-up and response to a release that occurred yesterday at its Sumas Pump Station in Abbotsford, B.C.
The Trans Mountain Pipeline remains shut down; however, it will be re-started this afternoon after all procedures and safety protocols for re-start have been completed.
Clean-up is well underway with trucks and crews working around the clock. The free-standing oil has been recovered and is being transported to an approved facility for disposal. The site has permanent groundwater monitoring in place and air monitoring continues. Monitoring has not identified any risk to the public or community.
Initial estimates are that 150-190 cubic metres (940-1195 barrels) of light crude was released and was fully contained on Trans Mountain property.
Trans Mountain has initiated a thorough investigation into the incident. The release is related to a fitting on a small diameter (1”) piece of pipe connected to the mainline. No construction or Expansion Project activity was underway at the pump station. The incident was identified when an alarm was received at Trans Mountain’s control centre. The pipeline was immediately shut down and crews arrived at the site within an hour of shutdown.
An Incident Command Post remains active and the company continues to work with local authorities, area Indigenous groups and regulators, including the Canada Energy Regulator (CER), Transportation Safety Board (TSB) and BC Ministry of Environment (BCMOE) in the oversight and clean-up of this incident. Indigenous representatives have visited the site and monitors are assisting the effort. Clean-up and remediation will continue in coordination with regulators, Indigenous groups and the local community.
All COVID-19 protocols are being followed both at the Incident Command Post and at the site of the clean-up.
Updates will be posted as new information becomes available at www.transmountain.com.
June 13, 2020, 9:30 am PDT - Trans Mountain is responding to a release at our Sumas Pump Station in Abbotsford, B.C. Crews on site have contained a spill on Trans Mountain property and clean-up is underway. Applicable regulators have been notified and there is no threat to the community.
In the early morning hours of June 13, 2020, an alarm was received at our control centre. The pipeline was immediately shut down and crews were dispatched to investigate.
The pipeline remains shut down and an Incident Command Post has been set up to manage the incident and clean-up. Local authorities and responders have been informed.
An investigation into the cause is underway; there is no estimated volume at this time, but it has been fully contained.
Updates will be posted as new information becomes available at www.transmountain.com.
