Imperial Oil pipeline near Winnipeg returns to partial operation, province says

One of two fuel lines shut down earlier this year amid repairs to a pipeline carrying gas to Winnipeg and surrounding communities had its service restored on Tuesday, the province says.

Provincial inspectors were on site when the fuel line was restored on the Imperial Oil pipeline repair site near the community of St. Adolphe, just south of Winnipeg.

Imperial Oil announced in March it had shut down a line that runs between Gretna, near the U.S. border, and Winnipeg after inspections raised concerns about a section of the pipe just south of St. Adolphe.

The line, which carries gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, was scheduled to be out of service for approximately three months, the company said.

Tuesday'supdate means some fuel is now running through the pipeline, which the province said in a news release will "significantly reduce the volume of fuel that has to be alternatively delivered by rail and truck."

Inspectors will keep monitoring the site to ensure repairs to the pipeline's second fuel line are completed safely, which will return the pipeline to full operation, the release said. That repair is on schedule and still expected to be completed by mid-June.

The province said supplies of gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel are stable, and it's maintaining close contact with suppliers to track supply levels and fuel distribution.