Burst oil pipeline allowed to restart

Alberta's energy regulator has given the final green light for the pipeline that spilled millions of litres of oil in the province's north to resume shipping crude.

The Energy Resources Conservation Board said Plains Midstream Canada, which owns the Rainbow pipeline, has completed all reviews and can safely operate with some restrictions.

The pipeline ruptured on April 28, spilling 4.5 million litres of oil.

The leak was caused by stress on a cracked weld and the company has agreed to eventually excavate and inspect all sections of the pipeline containing similar welds, the energy board said.

Plains Midstream said it will restart the 772-kilometre, 44-year-old line between Zama, Alta., and Edmonton on Tuesday. The 60-centimetre pipe is capable of moving 220,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

The board said that initially the pipeline will only be allowed to operate at 75 per cent of its maximum operating pressure.

The Rainbow pipeline leak contaminated 3.2 hectares of beaver ponds and muskeg in a densely forested area, Plains Midstream Canada vice-president Mike Halihan said in May.

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach criticized the company at the time for its poor communications with the public including the Lubicon Cree, who live near the leak site.