[CANUFNET] Roots causing damage to Gas and Oil pipelines

[Ward, Greg]

We have a number of easements through park and city land  and both
Fortis (natural gas) and Kinder Morgan (oil) have provided a couple of
main reasons they wish the easements free and clear of trees, thus far
none including root damage though it still may be a concern.   Both
corporations will not allow trees on the easement because the canopies
obscure their aerial inspections that use infrared (?) and the trees
will obstruct the repair of the line particularly in the event of an
emergency where they need to quickly move in large equipment.

 

GREG WARD | MANAGER, URBAN FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS

 

Parks, Recreation and Culture

14645 - 66 Ave, Surrey, BC, Canada V3S 5M2
T 604.501 5170 | F 604.501 5177   www.surrey.ca

 

Please consider the environment before printing this email

 

 

 

 

From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net
[mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Ray Morgan
Sent: November-23-11 7:41 AM
To: canufnet at list.web.net
Subject: [CANUFNET] Fwd: Roots causing damage to Gas and Oil pipelines

 

 

As per the subject line, I just came back from a meeting with a high
profile oil company on how roots of trees/shrubs are decaying/corroding
the protective coating on oil and gas pipe lines.

They are saying that because of the moisture content that surrounds the
pipes, roots are attracted to this and are now "wrapping" themselves
around the lines. They are claiming that this(roots causing damage) is
causing the protective coating to decay or corrode, which they say,
increases the risk for pipe failure.

 

The pipeline is situated on a city easement that allows for the current
underground oil & gas infrastructure and for future additions,
essentially it's a oil and gas easement. 

Trees and shrubs have been planted (1989) on this city easement to
provide a visual barrier to the industrial and commercial areas of
Regina. The company has signed an agreement to this, back in the early
90's. 

They are requesting that the plant material be removed because there is
a concern that if the roots continue to corrode or decay the coating,
this may cause leaks, explosions and loss of life.

 

This will have a significant impact to other areas of the municipality
as there is natural gas, oil and other underground petroleum utilities.
This decision could be precedence setting, even for homeowners.

I'll have our legal staff take a look into this and get their input as
well.

 

There is no question that public safety is one of our first priorities
here in Regina and that if a tree is of a public safety concern and
we've determined this, we will remove it.

 

My questions are;

 

1. Has anyone dealt or heard of this concern before?

 

2. They have verbally indicated this, but I feel they should have data
to support this. Is there any documentation out there that supports
their claim? 

 

3. If the data/research is there that supports their claim, please pass
this onto me.

 

Much appreciated and look forward to your response,

 

 

 

Ray Morgan

Manager, Forestry, Pest Control &

 Horticulture Branch

Parks and Open Space Department

City Operations Division

 

P: 306.777-7065

C: 306.531-5119

E: rmorgan at regina.ca

 Regina.ca

 

 

 

 

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