Christopher E. Smith
OGJ Pipeline Editor
HOUSTON, Oct. 22 -- Canada’s National Energy Board is making funding available to third parties interested in participating in the regulatory process for Vantage Pipeline Canada Inc.’s proposed Vantage Pipeline. The pipeline would carry 45,000 b/d of ethane from a processing plant near Tioga, ND, through Saskatchewan to a gathering system near Empress, Alta. Capacity would be expandable to 60,000 b/d if warranted by production expansion in the Williston basin.
Vantage will use 11-in. OD pipe running a total of 700 km. The Canadian portion consists of about 575 km of pipeline and related facilities in Saskatchewan and 3 km in Alberta. Roughly 528 km of the Canadian length runs along or adjacent to existing right-of-way. Pending regulatory approvals, Vantage expects construction to begin first-half 2012 and be completed late-2012.
NEB is making available $175,000 under its participant funding program to assist landowners, Aboriginal groups, incorporated nonindustry not-for-profit organizations, and other interested parties to participate in the regulatory process for the proposed Vantage Pipeline. This funding is being made available to help interested parties review and comment on a project application to be submitted by Vantage.
Nova Chemicals in July signed a memorandum of understanding with Hess Corp. and Mistral Energy Inc. to purchase and transport ethane production from Hess’ Tioga gas plant in North Dakota via a proposed pipeline to Alberta. Nova will purchase 100% of the ethane produced at the Tioga gas plant under a long-term arrangement for use at its Joffre petrochemical complex.
Hess is one of the largest lease holders in the Williston basin. Vantage Pipeline is an affiliate of Mistral.
Contact Christopher E. Smith at [email protected].
Map from Canada Energy Regulator.
