Union Gas wraps Sudbury pipeline replacement job

CHATHAM, ONT. — Union Gas has announced substantial completion of its $74-million Greater Sudbury Pipeline System replacement project and has indicated the replacement pipeline is now in service.

The project saw 19.6-kilometres of 10-inch natural gas pipeline replaced with new 12-inch pipeline in various sections across Greater Sudbury, in particular in New Sudbury and Copper Cliff, explained a recent release. Clean-up work will continue throughout 2019.

The project occurred in two sections — the first between the existing Union Gas Coniston and Frood Road Stations, and the second between the Union Gas Azilda and Walden Stations.

An Ontario Energy Board (OEB) review and approval was required before the project could proceed, the statement explained. Union Gas submitted a leave-to-construction application to the OEB on May 5, 2017. On Sept. 28, 2017, the OEB approved the project. Work began in April 2018 and the project went in-service in late October.

Overall, Union Gas’s Greater Sudbury Lateral Pipeline System supplies natural gas to 52,000 customers and stretches approximately 110 kilometres from Greater Sudbury to Espanola.

“The Greater Sudbury Pipeline System brings natural gas to residents and businesses in not just Greater Sudbury but communities west as well all the way to Espanola,” said Chris Minor, Union Gas northeast district manager, in the release. “Now that this replacement project is officially in-service, we would like to thank Greater Sudbury, its residents, and all communities in the local area for their support during the construction process.”