TC Energy to operate pipelines in part of Virginia at reduced pressure

(Reuters) - Canada's TC Energy on Monday said it plans to operate pipelines at reduced pressure in a part of Virginia affected by an incident, in accordance with a corrective action order from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

On July 25, TC Energy's Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline declared force majeure and isolated a section of its Line VB pipeline in the U.S. state after detecting a pressure drop caused by an unforeseen incident.

The PHMSA's order stated that "the cause of the failure is currently unknown, but based on initial observations of the failed pipe, environmental cracking is the suspected cause."

"The isolated segment must remain shut in and may not be operated until authorized to be restarted."

The Calgary, Alberta-based company said it is working to return to service the adjacent parts of the pipeline system not directly impacted by the incident."

The Columbia Gas Transmission system must reduce and maintain a 20% pressure reduction in the actual operating pressure along the affected pipelines, the PHMSA added.

(Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru; Editing by Leslie Adler and Paul Simao)