The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 3 February 2021.
Release of crude oil incident
Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
Herschel pump station
Near Herschel, Saskatchewan
The occurrence
On , at approximately 0655 Mountain Standard time (MST), Enbridge personnel identified a crude oil leak originating from an auxiliary system related to the Line 3 pipeline operations at the Herschel pump station near Herschel, Saskatchewan. The source of the release was isolated. Approximately 50 m3 of crude oil was determined to have been released, with 10 m3 migrating off property into a roadway ditch next to the station. Clean-up crews were notified, the release was contained and clean-up activities were initiated. There were no injuries and no evacuation was required.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: April 2020 release of crude oil from a pipeline in Herschel, Saskatchewan
Read the news release
Investigation information
P20H0017
Release of crude oil incident
Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
Herschel pump station
Near Herschel, Saskatchewan
Investigator-in-charge
Jennifer Philopoulos has 15 years of experience in the Oil and Gas industry. She joined the TSB in 2015 as a pipeline engineering expert and senior investigator based out of the Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, regional office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Dalhousie University.
Prior to joining the TSB, Ms. Philopoulos began her career with Shell at their Oil Sands Upgrading facility, as a site materials and corrosion engineer. Most recently, she has worked as a consulting engineer, providing materials and corrosion expertise to the Oil and Gas industry.
Her experience has focused on corrosion assessments evaluating the conditions of materials in refineries and pipelines in order to prevent premature failures. This includes performing and developing risk-based inspection programs, preventative maintenance programs and supporting fitness for service assessments. She has also preformed and supported metallurgical forensic work on various failed components.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.