Trans Mountain is set to proceed with its initial initiative to enhance oil flow through its pipeline connecting Alberta and British Columbia. The government-owned company has filed an application with the Canada Energy Regulator to implement drag reducing agents (DRA) in order to increase oil transportation capacity by up to 10%. The project is budgeted at $9 million, with construction slated to commence in August, and potential operationalization by January 2027, as per documents submitted to the regulator.
The original Trans Mountain pipeline, established in the 1950s, has been supplemented by the $34 billion expansion project, which began transporting oil from Edmonton to the Vancouver region in May 2024. The decision to accelerate plans for pipeline enhancements was prompted by rising oil production in Alberta, coupled with the anticipation of existing export pipelines reaching full capacity in the near future.
Trans Mountain has reassured that the DRA Project will not lead to additional vessel traffic at the Westridge Marine Terminal beyond the scope considered during the Trans Mountain Expansion Project review process. The company is evaluating various other projects to amplify oil transportation via its pipeline, including the installation of additional pumping stations, which could boost daily capacity by 360,000 barrels within the next five years. Currently, the twin pipeline has the ability to transport around 890,000 barrels per day between Alberta and the western coast of British Columbia.
Drag reducing agents are chemical substances aimed at diminishing friction within the pipeline, presenting a cost-effective option compared to other potential system enhancements. Several proposed expansions to major pipelines, including Trans Mountain, have the potential to significantly elevate the volume of oil exportation from Western Canada.
