Trans Mountain is progressing with its initial initiative to enhance oil flow through its pipeline connecting Alberta and British Columbia. The Crown corporation has filed an application with the Canada Energy Regulator to utilize drag reducing agents (DRA) to increase oil transportation capacity by up to 10 percent. The estimated cost of the project is $9 million, with construction slated to commence in August, as indicated in documents submitted to the regulator. The project is anticipated to be operational by January 2027.
The original Trans Mountain pipeline system was established in the 1950s, while the expansion project costing $34 billion started transporting oil from Edmonton to Vancouver in May 2024. Originally planned for later this decade, the consideration for pipeline capacity enhancements was accelerated due to rising oil production in Alberta and the projected saturation of existing export pipelines in the near future.
According to Trans Mountain’s documents, the DRA Project will not lead to a rise in vessel traffic at the Westridge Marine Terminal beyond the previously assessed levels during the Trans Mountain Expansion Project reconsideration. The company is evaluating several other projects to boost oil transportation, including the installation of additional pumping stations capable of increasing daily oil transportation by 360,000 barrels within five years. Currently, the twin pipeline can carry around 890,000 barrels per day between Alberta and British Columbia’s west coast.
Drag reducing agents are chemical substances that minimize friction within pipelines and offer a cost-effective solution compared to other proposed enhancements to the pipeline system. Various planned expansions to key pipelines, such as Trans Mountain, have the potential to significantly elevate the volume of oil export from Western Canada.