How innovation and preparedness keep us safe from the effects of winter
A look at the processes that keep our people and assets safe across our operations.
We work in a complex industry that requires deep knowledge, technical expertise and, above all, an uncompromising focus on safety. Many of our assets are located in environments that face severe winter conditions, where from November to March they are exposed to extreme cold, heavy snowfall and harsh winds. Winter is a well-known complication for us, and it is our experienced operators, our innovation and our focus on winter preparedness that ensure our people and our assets stay safe through the cold season.
“Low temperatures can affect our facilities in a variety of ways. One example is moisture and steam generated from our operation can lead to the buildup of overhead ice hazards, minimizing this requires winter operating procedures and hazard reviews each winter,” James Hiscox, Senior Health & Safety Advisor. “We have a lot of experience operating in cold environments and we continuously improve our ability to operate safely through the increased emphasis and formalization of our winter readiness and work procedures.”
Well before the first snowfall or temperatures dip, winterization processes are already underway, including seasonal operator rounds to inspect equipment, the installation of heating pads around piping to keep heat in and cold out, and the removal of tripping hazards that could be buried by snow. These programs often begin before winter starts and are carried out and reassessed regularly throughout the season.
We continue to improve our winter safety programs through innovative applications of new technologies. In recent years, our assets and operators have benefited from the implementation of drones to inspect our infrastructure.
“Drone technology is proving to be revolutionary in identifying issues and potential hazards beyond what is normally visible to our operators,” says Drew Lake, Operations Specialist, Offsites Polymer-Modified Ashpalt & Rail, Lloydminster. “The drones fly a predetermined route at planned intervals using both visual and infrared technology. This allows the drone operator to remotely scan equipment for weathered insulation that could create operational issues during cold weather or small steam leaks that can result in ice buildup, all from the safety of the ground.”
Even when winter begins to withdraw and spring arrives, there is work just starting for some of our other regions. Our offshore operations in Atlantic Canada have a unique complication that our landlocked operations don’t – icebergs.
While icebergs are a big draw for tourism in Newfoundland and Labrador, we give them a wide berth and use various tools and methods to avoid their path. We monitor iceberg movement in the region closely to protect the SeaRose, our Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel, which operates 350 kilometres off the coast of St. John’s in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin. For small masses, we use strong water cannons or lassos installed on our standby vessels to guide the direction of the icebergs.
We are familiar with the challenges that winter brings. For decades we have operated in these changing conditions, continually improving our operational safety thanks to the dedication of our operators and leveraging new technologies into our winterization processes.
LAST UPDATED: FEBRUARY 2025
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