The Canadian energy regulator, National Energy Board (NEB), has approved the hydrostatic test results submitted by Enbridge for the Line 9B Reversal and Line 9 Capacity Expansion Project (Line 9), clearing the development of the project.
Enbridge operates the 240,000 bbl/d Line 9 pipeline. Originally flowing eastward, Line 9 was reversed in 1998 as foreign oil from areas such as West Africa and the Middle East became more affordable (Quebec’s two remaining refineries currently process 90% foreign-sourced crude). Enbridge filed a project application with the NEB to reverse the section known as Line 9B in November 2012, proposing at the same time to expand the capacity of Line 9 from 240,000 bbl/d to 300,000 bbl/d. The Line 9B project will reverse the segment of Line 9 between North Westover, Ontario and Montreal, Québec, in addition to expanding the entire Line 9 capacity from Sarnia, Ontario to Montreal. The project, initially expected to be commissioned in 2014, received conditional approval in March 2014 and was delayed as Enbridge had to procure additional information to the NEB.