Regina residents will bear witness to a 40-foot flame north of Arcola Avenue Monday. However, it should be no cause for concern. SaskEnergy is conducting a controlled natural gas flaring at the block valve site located near approximately one kilometre southeast of the Regina Bypass. The flaring is scheduled to take place between noon and 3:30 p.m., though timing is subject to change based on operating requirements. According to a public safety announcement issued Monday, the flaring is necessary for maintenance work on the area’s natural gas line system and supports the “safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to SaskEnergy’s customers.” During the controlled burn, SaskEnergy says a portion of the gas line will be isolated from the system and natural gas will be removed from the line, as is standard practice. “Flaring is an industry standard practice when natural gas needs to be removed from a line and reduces the carbon footprint of the vented natural gas by 85 per cent,” the PSA read. SaskEnergy says the area around the flare will be supervised to ensure public safety and that residential natural gas service will not be affected. The City of Regina, RM of Sherwood, local RCMP and Regina Fire Department have all been notified, according to SaskEnergy.
