Enbridge Line 3 Approved

On November 29, 2016, Justin Trudeau approved the permit for Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline project. Below is some information on why the pipeline is being built and what the scope of the project will be.

• The $7.5-billion, 1,660-kilometre pipeline replacement project will be the most expensive in Enbridge history.
• The existing line is almost 50 years old and its regulated maximum throughput has been reduced to about 390,000 barrels of oil per day.
• The replacement of the old 34-inch diameter pipe with a 36-inch pipe will restore the original regulated capacity of 760,000 barrels per day, nearly doubling shipping potential.
• In April, the National Energy Board recommended approving the Canadian part of the project with 89 conditions.
• Line 3 already has a US presidential permit. Line 3 still requires state regulator approvals.
• On the Canadian side of the border, Enbridge intends to spend $4.9 billion to replace Line 3 between Hardisty, Alberta, and the Canada-US border at Gretna, Manitoba.
• On the US side, it will spend $2.6-billion (USD) to replace pipe between Neche, North Dakota, and its terminal in Superior, Wisconsin. From there, crude can be transported to refinery markets in Chicago, the US gulf coast, and eastern US and Canada.
• Decommissioning the existing Line 3 pipe will begin after the replacement pipeline is in service. Product will be removed and the line will be cleaned but the pipe itself will be left in the ground.
  
  Source: CTV News