SaskEnergy says residents south of Rosetown may notice a large flame early next week as the Crown corporation carries out maintenance on its natural gas system.
The utility will conduct controlled natural gas flaring at a block valve site about 18 kilometres south of Rosetown, west of Highway 4, on Tuesday morning. The work is scheduled between 6 and 9 a.m., though SaskEnergy says timing could shift depending on operating requirements.
Drivers and nearby residents may see a flame reaching about 40 feet from a temporary flare stack attached to the infrastructure. SaskEnergy says the controlled burn is necessary to remove natural gas from a section of line that must be isolated for maintenance.
The company notes flaring is a standard industry practice and reduces the carbon footprint of vented natural gas by about 85 per cent.
SaskEnergy says the area will be supervised to ensure safety and that residential natural gas service will not be interrupted. Local officials, including the RM of St. Andrews and the Rosetown Fire Department, have been notified.