Diluents: transporting light hydrocarbon resources

The pipeline system In essence, some of the lighter There is no risk of ignition has transported a variety of liquid hydrocarbons Enbridge transports are when contained products, including light recycled or recovered from crude oil or All hydrocarbons transported in hydrocarbons, for years. One class other oil and gas production and used to Enbridge pipelines are flammable. Just of light hydrocarbons, referred to as dilute heavier crudes. Then, at a refinery, like gasoline stored by many Americans “,” are similar in nature to white diluents in the heavy crude can be re- in their garage, that is stored at the gas or camping fuel used in a lantern or processed and be reused as diluents or local gas station, or crude oil in large portable stove. Simply defined, is become part of other light hydrocarbon storage tanks, diluent requires two a light hydrocarbon mixture used to blend resources such as gasoline, jet fuel, conditions to ignite: the presence of with heavy crude petroleum to reduce its mineral spirits and other products we an ignition source, and being released viscosity to make it more fluid (“thinner”) use every day. in a narrowly-defined concentration and efficient to transport by pipeline. with the surrounding air. When Diluent can come from refineries or Exposure health effects are similar contained in a closed pipeline system, natural gas production wells. to other petroleum products the petroleum hydrocarbons are The toxicity and potential health effects mixed with little or no air, and therefore Generally, some of the light from exposure to diluents are similar have no opportunity for ignition. hydrocarbons produced by refineries to other petroleum products. During that also process crude oil into gasoline, normal operations, the liquid petroleum jet fuel, diesel fuel and other petroleum Enbridge transports is contained within products are referred to as diluent. And, the pipeline system and there are no while still a diluent, the light hydrocarbon hazards to those who live and work liquid product that occurs at well sites along the pipelines transporting diluent. from condensation during natural As with gasoline and other petroleum gas production also is referred to as products, diluent should be properly condensate. Enbridge transports both handled and contained. in our pipelines. Hazards of diluent if released Preventing corrosion Pipeline safety and reliable delivery All of the products we transport, including are Enbridge’s top priorities. We invest diluent, must meet strict pipeline quality in quality design and construction, specifications posted with the Federal safe operations, routine maintenance, Energy Regulatory Commission inspection and employee training to be transported in our pipelines. all to prevent accidents. Hazardous Specifications are exacting and limit the levels of vapors are not released from amount of water, temperature, , salt, closed pipeline systems nor within sediment or other components received facilities during normal operations. In into the pipeline system. Keep in mind the unlikely event of a release, like all that petroleum is often used as a lubricant hydrocarbons, an immediate priority is and not, in itself, corrosive. Enbridge expanded infrastructure to contain the release, detect vapors While Enbridge has been transporting with special monitoring equipment Enbridge uses many tools to monitor, light hydrocarbons and natural gas and prevent breathing hazards to prevent, and if detected, mitigate common liquids for decades, in 2010 a new emergency responders. Enbridge causes of corrosion including: dedicated pipeline was constructed workers and emergency personnel • Lab testing to ensure product quality. to transport a steady supply of diluent. have the equipment and training This new pipeline runs generally to check levels of hydrocarbons in • Employing pipeline operations and parallel to existing Enbridge crude oil the air, use appropriate personal flow procedures to prevent water drop pipelines and transports diluent from protective equipment, and work with out or other corrosion conditions. the refining areas near north local emergency services to keep the through several states and provinces public safe. Enbridge also maintains a • Using tools inside the pipe clean to western where heavy Public Awareness Program to educate impurities that can lead to corrosion crude oil and bitumen is produced nearby landowners, tenants, and local where there is internal risk. and needs diluting to be transported emergency responders about how to • Adding corrosion inhibitors. long distances though pipelines. react in the unlikely event of a release. • Using biocides that kill corrosion- This new pipeline was designed, Since diluent is composed of lighter end inducing microorganisms. built, and installed using modern hydrocarbons, it tends to disperse and specifications and quality materials. Like evaporate quickly if released into the • Applying cathodic protection and all Enbridge pipelines, it is monitored atmosphere, similar to the natural gas external coatings that protect against 24-hours a day and undergoes routine liquids we transport. external corrosion. inspections and testing. The potential environmental effects All of our pipelines have built-in safety of a release or leak of diluents are measures to promote the safe delivery of strongly influenced by the specifics of all of the products Enbridge transports. the release including volume, location, Our pipeline system is a safe and reliable season, permeability of the soils, the way to transport vital energy resources. connection to affected waterways, and cleanup actions taken. Emergency Enbridge carries secure and reliable response preparedness, resources, North American petroleum to refinery environmental sensitivities, and markets to be made into products used emergency access locations have been by Americans every day. Diluent makes specifically identified for Enbridge’s it possible to transport growing supplies diluent pipeline. of heavy crude petroleum resources in western Canada.

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