Market Snapshot: Oil pipeline throughputs reach record highs in 2022

Release date: 2023-09-14

Canada’s four major oil export pipelines from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB)^Definition* to the United States (Enbridge Mainline, Keystone, Trans Mountain, and Express^{Footnote 1Footnote 2}) reached record high throughputs in 2022 and operated at almost full capacity. High throughputs were driven by increased oil production, which also hit a record high in 2022.^Footnote 3 This trend is similar to 2021 and other recent years.^Footnote 4

Figure 1: Monthly throughput and capacity on Enbridge Mainline at ex-Gretna

Enbridge Mainline reached a record high throughput in 2022

At the Enbridge Mainline’s ex-Gretna^Footnote 5 key point^Definition* in Manitoba, throughput increased steadily through 2022 and reached a record high of 3.2 million barrels per day (MMb/d) in December. Previously, the record high was 3.1 MMb/d in December 2021. The average annual throughput in 2022 was 7% higher than 2021.

Following the approximately 11% increase in nameplate capacity^Definition* from the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project in Q4 2021,^Footnote 6 available capacity^Definition* remained relatively stable throughout 2022. Available capacity ranged from a low of 3.2 MMb/d in August 2022 to a high of 3.3 MMb/d in June 2022. In 2022, the average monthly utilization rate^Footnote 7 was 91%.

Figure 2: Monthly throughput and capacity on Keystone Pipeline

Keystone throughputs decreased in 2022

The Keystone Pipeline transported an average of 582 thousand barrels per day (Mb/d) in 2022, compared to 602 Mb/d in 2021, a decrease of 3.4%.

In December, a spill in Washington County, Kansas,^Footnote 8 caused throughput to drop to 338 Mb/d, a decrease of 44% from the previous month. As a result, the pipeline was shut down on 7 December 2022. After a week, the section from Hardisty, Alberta, to Wood River and Patoka, Illinois, was restarted, with the remainder of the pipeline returning to service on 29 December 2022.^Footnote 9 Due to the shutdown, the utilization rate in December dropped to 54%, compared to the 2022 average monthly utilization rate of 99%.

Figure 3: Monthly throughput and capacity on Trans Mountain Pipeline

Trans Mountain Pipeline throughputs reach a record high in 2022

The Trans Mountain Pipeline continued to flow at full capacity, transporting a record high annual average of 322 Mb/d in 2022, an increase of 9.1% over 2021 volumes. This increase was due to a record high of light oil throughput that reached 271 Mb/d, or approximately 84% of pipeline capacity.^Footnote 10 The pipeline had normal throughput levels for most of 2022 after returning to normal operating pressure in mid-January 2022. The pipeline was shut down in November 2021 following extreme weather events and flooding in British Columbia and restarted on 5 December 2021 at reduced capacity.^Footnote 11

In 2022, the average monthly utilization rate was 99%. July 2022 saw the highest throughput level of 365 Mb/d, a new record for the highest average throughput in any month. In November 2022, there was a decline in throughput levels, reaching a low of 283 Mb/d.

Every quarter, major companies are required to report monthly pipeline throughput^Definition* and available capacity^Definition* data to CER.^Footnote 12 This data is available quarterly on Open Government, Pipeline Profiles, and A look at pipeline flow and capacity.

Date modified:

2023-11-24