Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP will proceed with plans to expand its Trans Mountain pipeline system, which extends from Edmonton to Canada’s west coast, following receipt of 660,000 b/d of binding 20-year commercial commitments from existing and new shippers during a recently concluded open season. The proposed expansion will increase capacity on Trans Mountain to 850,000 b/d from 300,000 b/d.
Work will include twinning the pipeline within existing right-of-way when possible, adding new pump stations, increasing storage at existing facilities, and expanding the Westridge Marine Terminal. Trans Mountain currently includes 2.5 million bbl of storage in Edmonton; 650,000 bbl of storage at the Sumas pump station and terminal in Abbotsford, BC; and 1.6 million bbl at its endpoint Burnaby Terminal. Westridge, supplied from Burnaby, is in Vancouver, BC, has 290,000 bbl of storage divided between three tanks, and can accommodate ships up to 120,000 dwt and barges.
KMEP will now discuss the project with communities along the pipeline route and other interested parties and complete required studies before filing applications with Canada’s National Energy Board in 2014. Pending approval, KMEP plans to begin construction in 2016 for an in-service date of 2017.
KMEP will file a commercial tolling application for the expansion with the NEB this summer.
Contact Christopher E. Smith at [email protected].
