Expanded Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Roll-out In 2015, more than 125,000 AMI gas modules were installed throughout the Province, bringing the total to nearly 279,000 modules (73 per cent of SaskEnergy distribution meters). As of March 31, 2016, more than 11,000 additional modules were installed. The modules, which resulted in $1.5 million in frontline resourcing savings in 2015 (and $0.5 million in the first three months of 2016), provide regular information on natural gas consumption to SaskEnergy using a two-way wireless communication system. Customer service levels have been increased as well — meter read visits/submitting meter reads is no longer required and billing questions are answered more quickly and efficiently. No safety issues have occurred relative to the deployment. Crown Collaboration Initiatives Given the effectiveness of recent multi-Crown efforts such as joint line location, AMI, joint servicing and similar private sector projects, collaboration focus is inherent within SaskEnergy’s efforts to optimize the use of resources and develop efficient solutions to improve service. In 2015, SaskEnergy and SaskTel aligned their provincial vegetation management control services under SaskEnergy’s existing contractor to provide leverage for SaskTel to achieve significant savings. In addition, SaskEnergy oversaw a competitive bid process and award to select Records and Information Management software, in alignment with the provincial government 2011 mandate for all government entities to be compliant with The Archives Act 2004 , to improve and secure electronic records management. The negotiated award to OpenText Corporation includes preferential software and maintenance pricing available for all Saskatchewan Government entities until September 30, 2016. SaskPower and SaskEnergy also collaboratively entered into five-year agreements for Employee and Family Assistance Programs, achieving an estimated 27 per cent in savings over five years. Expanded Use of Mobile Compression Since purchasing its first mobile compressor in 2010, TransGas has seen its fleet grow to include 13 units, with another four compressors expected later in 2016. Mobile compressors have given TransGas the flexibility to move compression to where it is required, whether it is for seasonal tasks such as field injection, for temporary power while a stationary unit is under repair, or to replace units that have reached the end of their useful life. Mobile compressors are modern low-emission units that combine flexibility of operation with reduced maintenance requirements, allowing TransGas to quickly respond to requests from industrial clients without large capital investments. As gas supply has rapidly grown in southeastern Saskatchewan, SaskEnergy/TransGas has used mobile compressors to bring this gas onto its storage and distribution systems.
Environmental Efficiencies As part of its commitment to reducing negative environmental impacts in the Province, SaskEnergy achieved a number of environmental efficiencies during 2015. Through the modernization of its compressor fleet, the Corporation exceeded its reduction target for compressor emissions by nearly 10 per cent. In addition, a record number of projects were reviewed by SaskEnergy’s Environment and Sustainability group, the 2015 emissions reduction target was more than doubled through leak repairs and greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 8,800 tonnes. The Environment and Sustainability group is monitoring regulatory developments pertaining to climate change and air pollutants. While no emissions regulations were implemented, in March 2016 the Federal Government announced commitments toward reducing oil and gas industry methane emissions by 40 to 45 per cent over the next decade, using 2012 levels as a benchmark. SaskEnergy also entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Environment that allows the Corporation to screen and clear certain projects internally in a streamlined fashion relative to the Ministry.
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2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT SASKENERGY
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