Pipeline giants Enbridge and TransCanada to test leak detection tech

EDMONTON – Canada’s two biggest pipeline operators are teaming up to test leak detection technology.

TransCanada Corp. (TSX:TRP) and Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB) will be using a pipeline simulator at an Edmonton facility to conduct their research in 2014.

Enbridge developed the simulator, called the External Leak Detection Experimental Research, or ELDER for short.

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READ MORE: 37 years of oil spills in Alberta

The two companies, along with the Alberta Ministry of Innovation and Advanced Education, have committed a total of $4 million in funding.

Enbridge has already spent $3 million on developing and building the system.

The partnership was announced a day before a regulatory panel announces its recommendation on whether to allow Enbridge to build its controversial Northern Gateway oil pipeline to the West Coast.

READ MORE: Northern Gateway pipeline ‘too dangerous’ for the environment: Mulcair