Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC – Trans Mountain Expansion Project

Project Background

On December 16, 2013, Trans Mountain submitted an application [Folder 2392873] to the National Energy Board (NEB) for the Trans Mountain Expansion project (the Project). The Project includes:

  • Pipeline facilities that complete a twinning of the existing 1147 km Trans Mountain pipeline system in Alberta and British Columbia, with about 991 km of new buried pipeline;
  • New and modified facilities, such as pump stations and tanks;
  • Additional tanker loading facilities at the Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby;
  • Reactivation of 193 km of pipeline between Edmonton and Burnaby; and
  • Increasing Trans Mountain’s shipping capacity from 300,000 bbl/d to 890,000 bbl/d

On November 29, 2016, Governor in Council directed the NEB to issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the Project.

On August 30, 2018, the Federal Court of Appeal released a decision that quashed the Order in Council approving the Project, and nullified the Certificate issued by the NEB for the Project.

The NEB imposed 156 conditions on the Project and made 16 new recommendations to the Government of Canada. The recommendations relate to matters that fall outside of the NEB’s regulatory mandate, but within the authority of the Government of Canada. On June 18, 2019, GoverNo. in Council directed the NEB to issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the Project. [more]

Project Map

This map provides an overview of the project.

Trans Mountain Expansion Project Map

View larger PDF version [PDF 2891 KB]

Disclaimer

The Canadian Energy Regulator (CER) endeavors to provide the best information possible; however, the pipeline route shown on this map is proposed by the applicant. The CER makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees, express or implied, that the data contained in this map may be relied upon for any use whatsoever. The CER accepts no responsibility or liability for inaccuracies, errors or omissions in the data and any loss, damage or costs incurred because of using or relying on the map data in any way.

The pipeline data contained in this map is subject to licensing terms and may No. be reproduced, published, distributed, or transferred in whole or in part. The map also contains information licensed under the Open Government License – Canada.

The Canadian Energy Regulator is bound by the Official Language Act and relevant Treasury Board policies. However, some material on these pages originates with organizations No. subject to the Official Languages Act and is made available on this project page in the language in which it was written.

Conditions

The Government of Canada has approved the Project subject to 156 conditions.

While Canadians mostly hear about the CER’s involvement at the beginning of a project, we regulate federal energy infrastructure throughout its entire lifecycle. We do not simply make a decision on a project and walk away. When approved projects are being built and operated, we inspect and audit them. When a pipeline has reached the end of its usefulness, we hold a hearing to ensure that it is abandoned in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

In other words, the CER regulates from “start to finish”, which can span the course of many decades. And we hold pipeline companies responsible for the full lifecycle of the pipelines they operate [more].

Detailed Route

All detailed route hearings for the project are now completed, though certain decisions are pending [more].

Leave to open applications

Before a pipeline or section of a pipeline can operate, companies need to apply for and be granted leave to open (LTO). The Commission must be satisfied that the pipeline is safe to use before it grants LTO to a company.

Trans Mountain is applying for a series of LTO orders, with 36 applications submitted to date and 20 approved. We expect upwards of 40 applications. The company’s LTO applications reflect pipeline spreads and facilities such as pump stations or tanks [more].

Contact Us

Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
E-mail: TMX.ProcessHelp@cer-rec.gc.ca
Fax: 403-292-5503
Toll free fax: 1-877-288-8803

Media Inquiries

Media Relations Team
Canada Energy Regulator
Email: media@cer-rec.gc.ca
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265

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