Properties of Natural Gas
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that forms naturally from
hydrocarbons produced
millions of years ago when plant and animal remains were buried
beneath layers of soil and rock. Over time, heat and pressure
combined to transform this mass into fossil fuels such as oil and
natural gas.
Natural gas is more than 90% pure methane, the lightest
hydrocarbon.
Signs of a Leak
Unlike the natural gas that heats your home, natural gas in many
transmission pipelines is not odorized. If there is a leak, you will
not smell rotten eggs. Leaks rarely occur on our system but there
are signs you can watch out for that may indicate a possible leak:
• Discoloured plants in an area (dead vegetation);
• Frost on the ground when the
ambient temperature is above zero; or
• Bubbles in freestanding water such as sloughs.

Characteristics common to Natural Gas
In the unlikely event of a release along the TransGas pipeline system, the
following characteristics are common to natural gas:
1. Volatility: extremely flammable and explosive
2. Odour: odourless unless odourant is added to make it smell like rotten eggs
3. Appearance: steam-like cloud or frost-like appearance on the ground
4. Special Behaviour: lighter than air and can displace oxygen if confined in a building
5. Noise: releases from a TGL pipeline have a potential to exceed 100 dba
6. Toxicity: non-toxic
What to Do
Initial Response:
1. Stay upwind
2. Do not approach a leak or suspected leak
3. Immediately Call TransGas Gas Control: 1-306-777-9800
4. If you are the first responding agency to the site, set up a Command Post and act as the Incident Commander
5. Block off road access to incident area - minimum 1.61 km (1 mile) radius; detour vehicles and direct personnel to stay clear of area
6. Remove all sources of ignition, including portable radios and cellular phones
7. If there are residents within the restricted area, consider evacuating
8. Ensure TransGas representatives have immediate access to the site
9. Implement your local Emergency Plan
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