Trans Mountain Pipeline gets NEB approval for firm service

The National Energy Board released its decision today to grant the application for firm service to the Westridge Marine Terminal (Westridge dock), submitted by Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC on behalf of Trans Mountain Pipeline, L.P. The pipeline, owned by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, will be able to provide 54,000 barrels a day on a fixed basis for export through the Westridge dock in British Columbia. A further 25,000 barrels per day remain uncommitted. It runs 1,150 kilometers from Edmonton to the west coast.

In its application, Trans Mountain asked the board to approve firm service (uninterruptible service) on the Trans Mountain pipeline system in relation to a segment of the capacity to the Westridge Dock. The implementation of firm service involves a change of service that will impact a portion of the existing capacity, but it does not involve any new facilities, modifications to existing facilities or increases in the overall capacity of the Pipeline.

Western Canada's first nations, meanwhile, are vowing to oppose any expansion of oilsands crude exports through their territories. On Thursday, signatories to the initiative called the Save the Fraser Gathering of Nations, said they had increased their roster to 130 from 61 western Canadian first nations that oppose any project to increase Canada's exports of oilsands crude, on the grounds that they infringe on aboriginal title.

The Board did not approve the Expansion Right and Step-up Right provisions included in the Transportation Service Agreement that was filed for approval, as the Board does not consider them to be appropriate in the circumstances.  The Board similarly did not approve some of the Tariff amendments requested, and accordingly directed Trans Mountain to file a revised Tariff.

The NEB is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada's energy industry. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest.