Enbridge unveils $3.2bn pipeline expansion plan in US and Canada

Enbridge has unveiled plans for a $3.2bn expansion programme of its pipeline system in the US and Canada after recieving commercial support ro proceed with Eastern Access projects.

The Eastern Access Projects include an 80,000 barrel per day expansion of Enbridge’s Toledo Pipeline, which connects with the Enbridge mainline at Michigan and serves refineries in Ohio and Detroit, Michigan; and a re-reversal of Enbridge’s 240,000 bpd Line 9B from Westover, Ontario to Montreal, Quebec to serve refineries in Quebec.

Re-reversal of Line 9A from Sarnia, Ontario to Westover to supply Imperial Oil’s Nanticoke refinery was previously announced.

The Toledo Pipeline expansion is expected to be available for service in early 2013 at a cost of approximately $200 million.

The company, along with Enbridge Energy Partners also expects to proceed with supporting expansions of the US mainline system between Flanagan, Illinois and Sarnia, Ontario.

Enbridge Liquids Pipelines president Stephen J. Wuori said securement of capacity commitments for both the Toledo Pipeline expansion and Line 9 re-reversal represents a major step forward for the company’s overall market access strategy.

"These projects and the supporting mainline expansions are attractive investment opportunities for Enbridge and EEP," Wuroi added.

"They will also provide substantial economic benefits to our shippers and the local economies in western Canada and the Bakken region in North Dakota where the crude oil is produced and in the midwestern U.S. and eastern Canada where it will be refined."

Enbridge said it will hold an open season immediately for additional shippers interested in securing capacity on Line 9 on the same terms as the current committed shippers.