Trans Mountain is progressing with its initial initiative to enhance oil flow through its pipeline network connecting Alberta and British Columbia. The government-owned company has submitted an application to the Canada Energy Regulator to utilize drag reducing agents (DRA) to increase oil transportation capacity by up to 10 percent. The project, estimated at $9 million, is scheduled to commence construction in August, with a target operational date of January 2027, as per regulatory filings.
The original Trans Mountain pipeline system, established in the 1950s, was recently expanded with a $34-billion project that began oil transport from Edmonton to Vancouver in May 2024. The decision to expedite pipeline enhancement plans was influenced by escalating oil production in Alberta and projected capacity constraints in existing export pipelines. Despite this acceleration, Trans Mountain assures that the DRA Project will not amplify vessel traffic at the Westridge Marine Terminal beyond previous assessments during the Trans Mountain Expansion Project reconsideration.
In addition to the DRA Project, Trans Mountain is evaluating other strategies to boost oil transportation, including the potential construction of additional pumping stations. These enhancements could facilitate an extra 360,000 barrels per day throughput within the next five years. Currently, the twin pipeline has a capacity of around 890,000 barrels per day, moving oil between Alberta and British Columbia’s west coast. Drag reducing agents, which minimize friction within the pipeline, offer a cost-effective solution compared to other proposed system upgrades.
Several proposed expansions across major pipelines, such as Trans Mountain, are expected to significantly augment Western Canada’s oil export capacity, marking a positive outlook for the region’s energy sector growth.