Pipeline accidents are rare, but they can occur. The petroleum in Enbridge's pipelines is flammable and potentially hazardous and explosive under certain conditions such as in a confined space. You should know what to do if you suspect pipeline operations have been disrupted.
Emergency Number
To reach emergency personnel for the Lakehead and North Dakota systems 24/7, call toll-free:
(800) 858-5253.
Emergency personnel supporting Enbridge pipeline and processing systems in the Mid-Continent and southern United States can be reached around the clock by calling toll-free: (888) 650-8099.
Know the Warning Signs
Recognizing a Leak
Because of Enbridge's thorough maintenance, testing, monitoring, training and safety programs, a pipeline leak is unlikely. However, should a break occur in a crude oil, natural gas or natural gas liquids pipeline, you should know how to recognize a leak.
By sight:
- A pool of liquid on the ground.
- Discolored vegetation.
- Dirt being blown or appearing thrown in the air.
- Water bubbling or being blown into the air.
- A low-lying, gaseous cloud.
By sound:
- An unusual hissing or roaring noise coming from the vicinity of the pipeline right-of-way or a connecting facility.
By smell:
- An unusual petroleum or “rotten egg” odor. Note: Natural gas is essentially odorless. Mercaptan, an odorant that is sometimes added to natural gas in city distribution systems for safety reasons, produces a distinctive “skunk” smell. However, cross-country natural gas pipelines DO NOT have this added odorant.
Responding to a Leak
Enbridge's Emergency Response Program has been developed to promptly and effectively protect the safety of the public and the environment. In the rare case of an incident, we would conduct a swift, safe and thorough clean up under the oversight of local emergency officials and regulatory agencies.
What you should do if you suspect a pipeline emergency:
- Leave the area immediately, walking or driving upwind of the suspected incident.
- Do not touch, make contact with or breathe in vapors.
- Do not light a match, start an engine, use a telephone, switch on/off light switches or do anything that may cause a spark. Crude oil can be flammable if concentrated and natural gas liquids are very flammable.
- From a safe location, notify Enbridge's 24-hour emergency number listed above or on marker signs or call 911. Give your name, phone number, a description of the leak and its location.
- Warn others in the area.
- Stay upwind and do not drive into a leak or vapor cloud area.
What Happens Next
Enbridge's emergency response plan will immediately go into effect. Personnel from our control center may immediately shut down the pipeline. Trained emergency response crews will arrive to deal with leaked material and repair damaged pipe. Enbridge and local emergency response units will work as a team to identify and solve the problem. We will work under the oversight of state emergency environmental agencies to restore the land and remediate any temporary damage caused by the petroleum spill.