Trans Mountain is set to enhance oil flow through its pipeline linking Alberta and British Columbia with a new project. The Crown corporation has applied to the Canada Energy Regulator to utilize drag reducing agents (DRA) to increase oil transportation capacity by up to 10 percent. This initiative, costing $9 million, is scheduled to commence construction in August, with operational readiness targeted for January 2027, as per regulatory documents.
Dating back to the 1950s, the original Trans Mountain pipeline system has been augmented by the $34 billion expansion project, which commenced oil transportation from Edmonton to Vancouver in May 2024. Anticipating a surge in Alberta’s oil production and the projected saturation of existing export pipelines in the near future, the Crown corporation expedited its pipeline enhancement plans, contrary to its previous schedule.
According to Trans Mountain, the DRA Project is not expected to result in increased vessel traffic at the Westridge Marine Terminal beyond previous assessments made during the Trans Mountain Expansion Project reconsideration process. The company is contemplating various projects to boost oil transportation capacities, including the installation of additional pumping stations, which could increase daily oil movement by 360,000 barrels within the next five years. Presently, the twin pipeline has the capability to transport around 890,000 barrels per day between Alberta and the British Columbia coast.
Drag reducing agents, chemicals aimed at reducing pipeline friction, are being considered for their cost-effectiveness compared to other proposed enhancements to the pipeline system. The potential expansions to major pipelines, including Trans Mountain, could significantly augment the volume of oil export from Western Canada.