The Southern Access Program is a North American solution to energy reliability and security of crude petroleum supply.
Enbridge expanded its underground crude petroleum pipeline system to help address current and future increases in refinery demand, which are expected to coincide with growth in crude oil supplies from western Canada's vast oil sands and production sources in North Dakota and Montana. The overall approach used a staged expansion/extension program to provide incremental capacity to Chicago, southern Illinois and other markets to meet customer demand.
Stage 1:
In Canada, this involved conducting a hydro-static test (“hydrotest”) for approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) of the 863-millimetre (34-inch) diameter line east of the Hardisty Terminal in Alberta. Hydrotesting involves pressure testing a pipeline with water. The purpose was to ensure the integrity of the pipeline and allow for an increase in the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) in this section of the pipeline. Phase 1 occurred in September 2006.
In the U.S., construction of 517 km (321 miles) of new pipeline along the route of Enbridge Energy Partners’ Lakehead System in Wisconsin and construction of additional pump stations. Stage 1 began operation in 2008. Click here to view photos of our restoration progress.
Stage 2:
In Canada, this stage involved facility modifications and enhancements at 18 pump stations between Hardisty, Alberta and Gretna, Manitoba. Most of the work involved upgrades to pumps and motors, together with associated equipment to improve pumping effectiveness. Phase 2 work occured between March 2007 and April 2009 at the locations shown on the map below.
In the U.S., this portion consisted of the construction of approximately 214 km (133 miles) of new pipeline from Enbridge's Delavan pumping station near Whitewater, Wis., to its Flanagan terminal near Pontiac, Ill., where it connects with Enbridge's Spearhead System west of Chicago. Construction was completed in 2008, and operation began in spring 2009.
Southern Access Extension: Enbridge is planning to extend the system from its Flanagan terminal south to the petroleum transportation hub in Patoka, Ill. Additional information on the Southern Access Extension Project is available from the
Illinois Commerce Commission by entering case number 07-0446.
The Southern Access Program provides our shippers with the lowest cost alternative for the capacity and market access they require with the flexibility to add capacity in stages. Compared with other limited options to transport crude to regional refineries, Enbridge will provide the shortest possible transit times, minimal commitments and the greatest flexibility for storage and alternative delivery options. In turn, regional refineries can provide the gasoline, diesel fuel and other petroleum products used by businesses and consumers along the pipeline route and beyond.
