Enbridge Inc. says it has increased flow of natural gas through a segment of a pipeline that ruptured and burned near Prince George, B.C., more than a month ago.
The company says it will increase pressure to 85 per cent of its full capacity, up from 80 per cent, on a 91-centimetre pipeline following an amendment order from the National Energy Board.
The federal regulator had ordered Calgary-based Enbridge to limit gas flows at 80 per cent pressure levels from the blast site.
The Oct. 9 explosion ruptured the 91-centimetre natural gas pipeline, but did not damage an adjacent 76-centimetre pipeline, which was supplying natural gas on a reduced basis to about a million customers in the province.
The company says it is continuing to work to ensure gas flows are back to full operating capacity while conducting safety inspections.
Once the repaired segment is returned to full service, Enbridge has said the system is expected to deliver between 23 and 25 million cubic metres of natural gas per day to B.C.'s Lower Mainland and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
One of the province's largest utilities, FortisBC, has said natural gas supply will be reduced during the coldest months of the year.
The RCMP has said there is no indication the pipeline rupture and ensuing fireball involved criminal activity.
