Enbridge's wholly owned subsidiary, Enbridge Pipelines, has reached agreement with shippers on the terms of a US$1.8bn expansion of its mainline system between Edmonton and Hardisty, Alberta. The expansion will include a new line, plus additional tankage and terminal facilities at Edmonton and Hardisty. Initial capacity of the new line will be 570,000 bbl/d with expansion potential to 800,000 bbl/d. The expansion could be commissioned in mid-2015.
Enbridge anticipates filing an application with the National Energy Board by the end of 2012. Subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals, Enbridge expects to begin construction activities as early as the first quarter of 2014. The route of the proposed 179-km pipeline between Edmonton and Hardisty is expected to generally follow the same route as Enbridge's existing Line 4 Pipeline which will minimize impacts on stakeholders and the environment.