CALGARY (CP) -- Enbridge, Inc. [NYSE:ENB; TSX:ENB] said Thursday that part of its natural pipeline system in the U.S. Gulf Coast region has sustained damage from hurricane Katrina, but the full extent of the devastating storm is still being evaluated.
The Calgary-based company said initial inspections have identified damage in the Mississippi Canyon corridor, which is part of Enbridge's offshore pipelines system in the Gulf of Mexico.
In addition, the Destin corridor pipeline - a joint venture operated by BP - is partially operational, Enbridge said.
Certain facilities, particularly the underwater pipelines, cannot be evaluated until additional inspections can be completed, Enbridge said Thursday.
Prior to the damage caused by hurricane Katrina, the Enbridge Gulf Offshore System moved on average about three billion cubic feet per day of natural gas, or about half of all deepwater Gulf of Mexico natural gas production.
The Garden Banks and Manta Ray systems, also part of the Enbridge offshore system, are currently moving about 150 million cubic feet per day and are expected to increase over the next several days.
Start-up of the Stingray and Green Canyon facilities is dependent on resumption of offshore production and onshore interconnecting receipt systems.
In addition to the offshore systems, there are onshore systems in the U.S. Gulf Coast states that are owned by Enbridge Energy Partners, LP. Some of these facilities also sustained damage including flooding and power outages, Enbridge said.
Enbridge said damaged infrastructure of interconnecting facilities continues to hinder communications efforts with its onshore facilities in the U.S. Gulf Coast region.
Enbridge Partners owns the U.S. portion of the world's longest liquid petroleum pipeline and is active in natural gas gathering, processing and transmission.
Enbridge Inc. is the general partner of Enbridge Partners and holds an approximate 11% interest in the partnership. Its shares closed Thursday at C$35.06, up four cents, on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
(c) The Canadian Press 2005
