TransGas, the pipeline subsidiary of SaskEnergy, will be conducting a controlled flare of natural gas six kilometers north of Estevan and approximately five kilometres east of Highway 47.
The flare will take place throughout the day on July 31 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. The flare is necessary to perform operational upgrades to the pipeline system.
During this pipeline maintenance process, natural gas will be released from the pipeline in a controlled burn called a flare. While the pipeline will be isolated from the remainder of the system, flaring is required to remove the remaining gas from the line before work can begin.
Flaring is an industry standard procedure when natural gas needs to be released from a pipeline and reduces the carbon footprint of the vented natural gas by 85 per cent.
Residents in the Estevan and Lampman areas, and anyone travelling along Highways 47, 39 and 18, may see a 20-foot flare being emitted from a 40-foot flare stack temporarily attached to the SaskEnergy infrastructure at the site. The area around the flare will be supervised to ensure public safety.
Local emergency responders have been notified of the upcoming event. There will be no disruptions to natural gas service to SaskEnergy residential, business or industrial customers in the area during this process.
