Trans Mountain is advancing its initial plan to boost oil flow across its pipeline connecting Alberta and British Columbia. The state-owned company has applied to the Canada Energy Regulator to employ drag reducing agents (DRA) in order to increase oil transportation capacity by up to 10%. The project carries a price tag of $9 million, with construction set to commence in August as per documents filed with the regulator. Anticipated completion is by January 2027.
The original Trans Mountain pipeline, established in the 1950s, saw the initiation of the $34 billion expansion project for oil transportation from Edmonton to the Vancouver region in May 2024. With rising oil production in Alberta and existing export pipelines nearing full capacity, the corporation’s timeline for pipeline enhancements was accelerated.
According to Trans Mountain’s submission, the DRA Project will not lead to additional vessel traffic at the Westridge Marine Terminal beyond previous assessments for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. The company is exploring various initiatives to amplify oil flow, including the potential construction of more pumping stations, capable of boosting daily transportation by an extra 360,000 barrels within the next five years. Presently, the twin pipeline can handle about 890,000 barrels daily between Alberta and the British Columbia coast.
Drag reducing agents, which cut down pipeline friction, offer a cost-effective solution compared to other proposed system upgrades. Several planned expansions to key pipelines, like Trans Mountain, are poised to significantly enhance Western Canada’s oil export capacity.