Canada approves variance request for key pipeline

Canada has approved a variance request for the giant Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, the project’s operator announced on Thursday.

Although Trans Mountain Corporation did not disclose the exact conditions of the approval, the company said it will now proceed in compliance with government mandates.

Work on the project was halted due to complications alongside Fraser River in the province of British Columbia in terms of pipe specifications.

Previously Trans Mountain Corporation had submitted a request to Canada Energy Regulator to switch to using 30-inch piping at the section as opposed to the project’s approved 36-inch piping but was denied.

The USD 23-billion development will almost triple the capacity of Canada’s sole pipeline from 300,000 bopd to 890,000 bopd and includes building 992 kilometres of new piping, associated infrastructure such as pump stations and terminals and a dock complex at the Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project is currently more than 98% complete and is expected to be operational in H2 2024.

The existing 992-kilometre Canadian pipeline stretches across the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia and links with a 111-kilometre pipeline in Washington, USA.