Canada’s pipeline sector has huge potential – and huge challenges, explains
Gordon Cope
.
C
anada is home to the third largest hydrocarbon reserves in the world, with an estimated
172 billion bbls of oil (behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia). The Canadian Association
of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) expects oilsands production alone to increase to
2.27 million bpd in 2015, up from 2.13 million bpd in 2014. According to the National
Energy Board (NEB), by 2018, approximately 1.1 million bpd will be added to Oilsands production,
bringing the total to 3.37 million bpd. The NEB also expects Canada’s marketable natural gas
production to rise from 13.2 - 17.4 billion ft
3
/d by 2035.
Most of the oilpatch action is confined to Western Canada, in Saskatchewan, Alberta and
British Columbia (BC). Several pipeline companies have ambitious plans for new-build and
expansions in order to gather product for delivery to market;
)
TransCanada has received approval from the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) to build and
operate the Northern Courier pipeline. The CAN$800 million, 90 km line will carry bitumen
from the Fort Hills Mine to Suncor’s holding tanks in Ft. McMurray.
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