THE CANADIAN PRESS

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

HALIFAX, N.S. - A ship laying an underwater pipeline from the Deep Panuke offshore natural gas field to Nova Scotia headed back to the field Tuesday after being damaged in rough seas more than a week ago.

Lori MacLean of EnCana Corp. (TSX:ECA) said the Lorelay was returning to the field following repairs and an inspection of the boat in Sheet Harbour, N.S.

The vessel was laying part of a 172-kilometre pipeline from Panuke to shore on Oct. 16 when it was blown off course, dragging the head of the pipeline with it.

The force damaged equipment on the ship's stern and the pipeline had to be cut loose.

But she said initial inspections of the pipe underwater indicated there wasn't any damage.

Crews will wind the part of the pipeline that was dragged onto the boat. If they don't find any damage, they'll align it with the rest of the pipeline.

"They'll be looking at retrieving the pipe from the sea bottom, examining it for any potential damage and then pipe lay operations would resume," she said.

It's not clear when the pipe laying would start again because of potentially bad weather.

"There are only two kilometres to go in total, so the amount of time in the field shouldn't be too long," she said. "But all the operations in the field depend on the weather."

Construction of the pipeline began in July.

Debbie Mountenay of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board said a certifying authority working for the board is on the vessel and will inspect the pipe to determine if it's safe to return to the water.