Trans Mountain is advancing its initial plan to enhance oil transportation through its pipeline network connecting Alberta and British Columbia. The Crown corporation has applied to the Canada Energy Regulator to introduce drag reducing agents (DRA) to facilitate a potential 10% increase in oil flow. The project is estimated to cost $9 million, with construction slated to commence in August, aiming for operational readiness by January 2027.
The original Trans Mountain pipeline, established in the 1950s, was augmented by the $34 billion expansion initiative that commenced transporting oil from Edmonton to the Vancouver region in May 2024. Originally slated for later this decade, the decision to accelerate pipeline capacity improvements was influenced by escalating oil production in Alberta and projections of existing export pipelines reaching maximum capacity in the near future.
Trans Mountain assures that the DRA Project will not result in additional vessel traffic at the Westridge Marine Terminal beyond what was previously evaluated during the Trans Mountain Expansion Project reconsideration. The company is exploring various strategies to boost oil transportation, including the potential construction of additional pumping stations capable of enhancing daily oil movement by 360,000 barrels within the next five years. Presently, the twin pipeline can handle around 890,000 barrels daily from Alberta to the British Columbia coast.
Drag reducing agents, which minimize pipeline friction, represent a cost-effective solution compared to other proposed enhancements to the pipeline infrastructure. Several proposed expansions to major pipelines, including Trans Mountain, have the potential to significantly amplify Western Canada’s oil export capacity.