[CANUFNET] Fwd: Roots causing damage to Gas and Oil pipelines

[Philip van Wassenaer]

Ray,

In this situation it seems to me that the onus of providing the scientific
proof is on them. You should ask them to come up with peer reviewed science
that shows this to be true.never, ever heard of this anywhere before.

For a prairie town this seems even more important since trees are hard to
establish and maintain.. 

 

Philip van Wassenaer, B.SC., MFC

1248 Minnewaska Trail

Mississauga, Ontario

Canada, L5G 3S5

Tel:  (905) 274-1022

Cell: (647) 221 3046

Fax: (905) 274 2170

UFI logo extra space.JPG

 

www.urbanforestinnovations.com <http://www.urbanforestinnovations.com/> 

 

 

 

 

From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net]
On Behalf Of Ray Morgan
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 10:41 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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