TransCanada plans complicate Canada gas line picture

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. (TCPL), Calgary, has disclosed a new gas pipeline project and equity investments giving a web of connections to major U.S. export markets. The proposed TransVoyageur line, with as much as 2 bcfd capacity, would extend 625 miles from Empress, Alta., to a U.S. border connection at Emerson, Man., with the proposed Viking Voy- ageur line to Joliet, Ill. The 1.2 bcfd Viking Voyageur line would extend through markets in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Illinois to

Aug. 18, 1997

2 min read

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. (TCPL), Calgary, has disclosed a new gas pipeline project and equity investments giving a web of connections to major U.S. export markets.

The proposed TransVoyageur line, with as much as 2 bcfd capacity, would extend 625 miles from Empress, Alta., to a U.S. border connection at Emerson, Man., with the proposed Viking Voy- ageur line to Joliet, Ill. The 1.2 bcfd Viking Voyageur line would extend through markets in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Illinois to Chicago.

TCPL owns 100% of TransVoyageur but is holding discussions with possible partners.

TCPL has also bought equity interests in the proposed Vector and Millennium lines providing connections to eastern Canada and New York City. Viking Voyageur would connect with the 344-mile, 1 bcfd Vector line to Dawn, Ont., near Sarnia. Vector connects to the proposed 381-mile, 650 MMcfd Millennium line to markets in the U.S. Northeast and mid-Atlantic. TCPL now owns a 35% interest in Vector, a project led by IPL Energy Inc., Calgary. TCPL has also taken an undisclosed interest in Millennium with IPL and others. And TCPL is currently planning a 456 MMcfd expansion of its mainline system for November 1998.

Companies are expected to make regulatory filings in Canada and the U.S. later this year for the new projects with completion dates late in 1999.