Name of the Project
Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project.

Location
The pipeline will run between Strathcona County (near Edmonton), Alberta and Burnaby in British Columbia, Canada.

Client
Kinder Morgan.

Project Description
The original Trans Mountain pipeline was built in 1953 and continues to operate. The project proposes a 980 km expansion of this 1 150 km pipeline. The expansion, if approved, will create a twin pipeline that will increase the nominal capacity of the system from 300 000 bbl/d to 890 000 bbl/d.

The existing line will carry refined products and synthetic and light crude oils, with capability to carry heavy crude oils.

About 73% of the proposed route will use the existing right of way; 16% will follow other linear infrastructure, such as TELUS, hydro or highways; and 11% will be new right-of-way infrastructure.

The project includes the reactivation of 193 km of pipeline; the construction of 12 new pumpstations; the addition of 20 new tanks to the existing storage terminals in Burnaby (14), Sumas (1) and Edmonton (5); and the expansion of the Westridge marine terminal by three berths.

Potential Job Creation
British Columbians will be first in line for jobs at the project, which entails more than 75 000 person-years of employment. It will also boost the province's gross domestic product by C$19.1-billion during construction and operations over 20 years, and generate more than $2.2-billion in tax revenue for provincial and local governments.

Value
The project is expected to cost about $7.4-billion.

Duration
The project is expected to begin construction this year and to be brought into service in 2019.

Latest Developments
Canada’s federal National Energy Board (NEB) has issued an order declaring that the Trans Mountain expansion project is not required to comply with two sections of the City of Burnaby’s bylaws as the company prepares to begin construction.

The board did not immediately give reasons for its decision, but will release more information at a later date.

The sections of the bylaws in question required Trans Mountain to obtain preliminary plan approvals and tree-felling permits for project-related work at Trans Mountain’s Burnaby Terminal and  Westridge Marine Terminal, and at a nearby temporary infrastructure site.

On October 26, Trans Mountain filed a motion with the board that raised constitutional questions regarding the applicability and operability of these Burnaby bylaws in relation to the project.

This decision enables the company to start work at its temporary infrastructure site near the Westridge Marine Terminal and some work at the Burnaby Terminal, subject to any other permits or authorisations that may be required.

The project has undergone an unprecedented level of scrutiny and review and is subject to 157 conditions from the National Energy Board and 37 conditions attached to the environmental certificate received early in January from the previous Liberal-led government of British Columbia.

The coalition government of British Columbia has outlined plans to stop the project, despite the project’s having received approval to proceed from the federal and the previous British Columbia government.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Kinder Morgan, tel + 1 855 908 9734 or email media@transmountain.com.
Trans Mountain, tel 1 866 514 6700 or email info@transmountain.com.