Inspection Officer Orders issued to Westcoast Energy Limited Partnership and Michels Canada

December 23, 2025

The CER issued Inspection Officer Orders to Westcoast Energy Limited Partnership (Westcoast) and Michels Canada (Michels) after a pipe was struck during excavation work. This resulted in a high-potential near-miss incident.

On November 15, 2025, the CER was notified of an incident at a Westcoast worksite at Blair Creek near Pink Mountain, British Columbia. Michels workers were excavating as part of construction for the Westcoast Aspen Point Project. While excavating, the workers struck the Aitken Creek Pipeline, a 16-inch gas pipeline that was operating at a high pressure, releasing gas. The worksite was evacuated, the pipeline was depressurized, and no injuries were reported. The incident did not result in gas supply disruptions.

CER Inspection Officers deployed to the site and determined that Westcoast did not adequately supervise the contract company during the excavation. The Inspection Officer also observed that Westcoast did not follow its internal ground disturbance procedures, and Michels did not follow the Canadian Energy Regulator Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations – Authorizations. As a result, the CER issued Inspection Officer Orders to both Westcoast and Michels.

Inspection Officer Order SN-001-2025 requires Westcoast to:

• Ensure that the corrective and preventative action plan from the previous Inspection Officer Order DRP-002-2025 applies to all complex line crossings.
• Identify pause work triggers, including incorrect locate marks or stakes.
• Create a process that documents field verification at each complex or hazard-prone location.
• Submit a written investigation report and implementation plan for corrective and preventative actions within 60 days for approval to the Inspection Officer.

Inspection Officer Order VS-002-2025 requires Michels to:

• Ensure that the process for alternate methods for pipeline identification and communication of surface markings is effectively implemented.
• Submit a written investigation report and implementation plan for corrective and preventative actions within 60 days for approval to the Inspection Officer.

We will continue to follow up with both companies to ensure they comply with their Inspection Officer Order.

Inspection Officer Order SN-001-2025

Inspection Officer Order VS-002-2025

Inspection Officer Orders help us hold companies accountable to some of the strictest safety and environmental standards in the world.

Date modified:

2025-12-23