Westcoast Energy Inc. an Enbridge company (Enbridge) is proposing an expansion to the southern portion of its existing pipeline in order to meet future demand for natural gas.
The project details of the Sunrise Expansion Program include upgrades to compressor stations along the T-south pipeline and the addition of pipeline looping in order to provide approximately 300 million cubic feet per day more than the current supply.
The 6B compressor station located on Highway 24 west of Lone Butte is one of five stations along the pipeline that are being considered for upgrades.
Potential pipeline loops are also being considered in areas above and below the station. This means there are two or more pipelines running in parallel to each other normally in the same right of way. Looping provides increased storage of gas in the system to meet demands during peak use periods.
Enbridge media contact Jesse Semko said they are currently doing consultations and engaging with communities, Indigenous groups and landowners and gathering feedback on the proposed expansion. At the same time, they begin fieldwork later this summer.
Semko said this involves going into the field and doing different environmental studies to see exactly what’s there and what considerations they need to take into account.
“Then after that, we’ll prepare a regulatory application. We’ll continue consultation. We’re kind of aiming to have an application to the Canadian regulator mid to late 2024.” They are anticipating construction starting in 2026 with an in-service date of 2028.
He said if they do their job properly and listen to community feedback, they do not anticipate any major hurdles in getting the project off the ground. The system has been in service for over 65 years now and there have been minor expansions over that time.
Semko said it is too early to say what the impact on the local economy will be. Part of the regulatory application includes a socio-economic assessment. This will look at all the impacts of the project including the anticipated influx of workers to a community, the duration, and the spin-off to businesses such as hotels, restaurants or laundry services.
An update later this fall will provide more information on these details, he said.
fiona.grisswell@100milefreepress.net
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