The Government of Canada on Oct. 1 listed the Pacific Link project as a Project of National Interest under the Building Canada Act, advancing work to secure permissions needed to begin pipeline design and construction as early as Sept. 1, 2027.

Pacific Link, formerly known as the West Coast oil pipeline, is a proposed 1 million-b/d crude oil pipeline that would transport Alberta oil to Canada's west coast for export to Asia-Pacific and other global markets.

With the Project of National Interest designation, Pembina Pipeline Corp., Calgary, along with the Governments of Alberta and Canada, and Trans Mountain Corp., will advance the project under a streamlined regulatory review process. Pembina said the listing “provides greater certainty through a clearer, more efficient and predictable federal review process that will maintain environmental standards and Indigenous consultation, which will be led by the Major Projects Office and supported by the Canada Energy Regulator.”

Trans Mountain Corp. is responsible for the regulatory process, stakeholder and Indigenous engagement, construction of the project, and subsequent operation of the asset.

Pembina's economic interest through construction will be 10%, with the opportunity to acquire up to an additional 10% once the project enters commercial operation.