Northern Gateway said it will not appeal a court decision against federal approval of its proposal to lay a 1,177-km crude oil pipeline between Bruderheim, Alta., near Edmonton, and a deepwater port at Kitimat, BC.
The Federal Court of Appeal ruled on June 30 that the National Energy Board’s Joint Review Panel’s recommendation in support of the proposal was acceptable but that further consultation was required.
Northern Gateway, a project of Enbridge Inc., would carry 525,000 b/d of crude and blended bitumen through a 36-in. line and return 193,000 b/d of separated condensate to Alberta through a 20-in. line.
“We believe that meaningful consultation and collaboration, and not litigation, is the best path forward for everyone involved,” Northern Gateway Pres. John Carruthers said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the government and aboriginal communities in the renewed consultation process.”
Aboriginal Equity Partners, a group of 31 First Nations and Metis communities, is to own as much as 33% of Northern Gateway.
