The Alberta Clipper pipeline project is now mechanically complete and is ready to receive oil into the pipeline as of April 1, 2010. It will take a number of months for line fill to be complete and that is expected by the fall of 2010.
The Alberta Clipper Project is an integral part of Enbridge's expansion program designed to meet North America's needs for reliable and secure energy supplies. Alberta Clipper is a crude oil pipeline that will provide service between Hardisty, Alberta, and Superior, Wis. This 1,000-mile/1,607-km segment is designed to resolve expected capacity constraints and is expected to be in service by mid-2010, complementing the recently completed Southern Access Project as crude oil supplies from Western Canada continue to increase. Initial capacity will be 450,000 barrels per day (bpd), with ultimate capacity of up to 800,000 bpd available.
With supply from Western Canada oil sands developments expected to grow by as much as 1.8 million barrels per day by 2015, the industry has asked for more capacity out of the oil sands and into the U.S. Midwest markets. The request is driven by oil sands producers and refiners that have long development timelines and need assurance that adequate pipeline infrastructure will be put in place in time to serve their projects. Alberta Clipper is a direct response to this request.
