Enbridge lets oil sands pipeline contract

Aug. 29, 2006
Enbridge Inc., Calgary, let a contract to AMEC PLC for program and project management, engineering, and procurement services for the Southern Access and Southern Lights pipeline projects, slated for service in early 2009.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 29 -- Enbridge Inc., Calgary, let a contract to AMEC PLC for program and project management, engineering, and procurement services for the Southern Access and Southern Lights pipeline projects, slated for service in early 2009.

The $350 million Southern Access project involves installation of a 36- and 42-in. oil export pipeline that would transport crude from the Rockies and Alberta to refineries in the US Midwest and other points. The project also includes installation of two 42-in. mainline segments, extending 321 miles and 133 miles, respectively; a 170-mile, 36-in. mainline; nine new or modified pump stations; and terminal modifications.

The new 300,000 b/d line will be added between Superior, Wis., and Flanagan, Ill., just west of Chicago, on Enbridge's Lakehead system. The expansion will increase the line's capacity to 400,000 b/d (OGJ Online, May 2, 2006).

The Southern Lights pipeline project, at a cost of $920 million, includes the installation of 474 miles of 16- or 20-in. pipelines for transporting diluents to Alberta. Diluents are blended with heavy crude prior to export to the US.

The pipeline will originate in Chicago and deliver through new and existing pipelines to Northern Alberta. New pump stations and a terminal are included in this project, which will expand the Hardisty-Chicago pipeline capacity by 400,000 b/d.