The 869 km pipeline stretches from Norman Wells, NWT to Zama, northwestern Alberta. Since start-up the Terrain Sciences Division has been involved in a Permafrost and Terrain Research and Monitoring Program along the pipeline route. Many unique design features and mitigative measures were adopted to minimize disturbance to the thaw sensitive permafrost terrain and to ensure pipe integrity for the Norman Wells line. Slope construction along the Norman Wells pipeline in winter 1984. Special design and construction measures are required for permafrost environments.
Photo shows wood chip layer being put in place.
Arctic ditcher used along the Norman Wells pipeline in winter 1984. A series of instrumented sites were established as part of the government's research program. This cross-section, from a site located on a peat plateau south of Fort Simpson, shows the increase in thaw depth, and the associated ground surface settlement and pipe settlement that has occurred 12 years following construction. Thaw depth and thaw settlement measurements from a study site in ice-rich silty clays at Norman Wells. Seasonal and cumulative pipe movements are being monitored at a study site close to Norman Wells to determine pipe response to a seasonal oil chilling cycle introduced in 1993.