Gas on track as pipeline repaired

The provincial government said Friday shipments of gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel continue unhampered in Manitoba as Imperial Oil repairs its pipeline south of Winnipeg.

In a release, it said fuel terminal upgrades in Winnipeg had been completed and have increased rail to truck offloading capacity within Winnipeg to improve distribution to gas bars. It also said prices at the pump remain the lowest in Canada.

Imperial suddenly shut down the pipeline, which transports fuel from Gretna to Winnipeg, for repairs in mid-March.

Crews are working at a part of the pipeline that runs under the the Red River by St. Adolphe.

Imperial Oil has advised the province the repair operation is on schedule and is expected to be completed in June.

Provincial inspectors will continue to monitor the site for environmental impacts on the river and will beef up their presence during the drilling phase.

Imperial Oil said Thursday “characteristics” in the subsoil and bedrock mean the drilling phase will take longer than expected.

The company said it is putting in place measures to mitigate the sound of the drilling, including mufflers and industrial noise-baffling curtains, to keep the disturbance to a minimum.

The unplanned repairs on the pipeline had prompted fears of fuel shortages and price increases.