Vantage applies to NEB for North Dakota-Alberta ethane line

Feb. 14, 2011
Vantage Pipeline Canada Inc. applied to Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) for a certificate to construct and operate the Vantage Pipeline Project.

Christopher E. Smith
OGJ Pipeline Editor

HOUSTON, Feb. 14 -- Vantage Pipeline Canada Inc. applied to Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) for a certificate to construct and operate the Vantage Pipeline Project. The proposed line would carry 45,000 b/d liquid ethane from a processing plant near Tioga, ND, through Saskatchewan to a gathering system near Empress, Alta.

The Canadian portion of the 700-km Vantage system would consist of 580 km of pipeline and related facilities, of which 574 km would be in Saskatchewan and 4½ km in Alberta. Roughly 525 km of the proposed pipeline is along or adjacent to existing pipeline and road right-of-way.

The 11-in. OD pipeline’s capacity would be expandable to 60,000 b/d if warranted by production expansion in the Williston basin. Pending regulatory approvals, Vantage expects construction to begin first-half 2012 and be completed late-2012.

Nova Chemicals in July 2010 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 (OGJ Online, Oct. 22, 2010).

Contact Christopher E. Smith at [email protected].