The last section of pipeline is assembled on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project before operations are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2024, near Laidlaw, British Columbia, Canada, February 18, 2024.
Wedoany.com Report-Feb 7, Canadian pipeline operator Trans Mountain is looking at expansion projects in the short and long terms that could add between 200,000 and 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) of capacity to the company's system, Jason Balasch, a company vice president, said on Thursday.
The pipeline, which can currently carry up to 890,000 bpd of crude from Alberta to Canada's Pacific Coast for export, has been in the spotlight since U.S. President Donald Trump said his country would slap 10% tariffs on Canadian oil imports. Trump on Monday paused the oil tariff -- and others that he said he would impose on Canada and Mexico -- for 30 days.
The pipeline has offered a way for Canadian oil producers to sell to international markets without relying on the U.S. network of pipelines. The pipeline currently accounts for 9% of Canada's total crude exports.
Trans Mountain is exploring short-term options, including using a drag-reducing agent in its pipeline to boost the flows and longer-term solutions like adding pumps, Balasch said on the sidelines of an oil conference in Houston.
The company is not looking to add a third line, Balasch said.
Trans Mountain should be able to load a total of 28-30 tankers per month at Vancouver once port restrictions ease to allow nighttime transit, which is expected in the third quarter, he added.
The Port of Vancouver is in the process of installing navigation aids. When fully operational, the upgrades will allow shippers to bring inbound unladen Aframax vessels at night, easing previous daylight-only transit restrictions that have limited Trans Mountain's loadings.
Trans Mountain has so far loaded a maximum of 24 Aframax vessels per month. Aframaxes typically transport up to 800,000 barrels, but at the company's Westridge marine terminal they are limited to loading around 550,000 barrels because of draft restrictions.
The company was also receiving increased inquiries from new potential shippers since the tariff threats, Balasch said, adding that utilization on the pipeline had been rising even before Trump's announcement.
"I think there's a lot of Asian markets that we could access," Balasch said. "Our system isn't full and we're confident we can operate it to it's maximum."
The Canadian government, which owns Trans Mountain, has been supportive of expansions, Balasch added.
The company has been laying the groundwork for the expansion since before and the "tariff has just increased the brightness of that spot," Balasch said.
