TransCanada to boost capacity of Canadian Mainline natural gas pipeline

TransCanada has revealed its plans to boost the capacity of the Canadian Mainline natural gas pipeline system with an investment of C$160m ($128.35m).

In this regard, the Calgary-based energy giant will seek approval from Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) for the expansion project which will be done through its Maple Compressor Station located near Vaughan in Ontario province.

The project underpinned by 15-year contracts aims to supply more gas to the southern Ontario market and Atlantic Canada region through the Trans Quebec & Maritimes Pipeline (TQM) and Portland Natural Gas Transmission (PNGTS) natural gas pipelines.

Currently, the 14,114km-long Canadian Mainline sources natural gas from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) and supplies it to Ontario and other markets.

TransCanada Canada and Mexico natural gas pipelines and energy executive vice president and president Karl Johannson said: “This expansion will help ensure Ontario customers receive the natural gas they need over the long-term and meet growing market demand in Atlantic Canada.

“This investment further affirms our commitment to build key natural gas infrastructure in Canada and shows the importance of the Canadian Mainline to efficiently and competitively meet the transportation needs of our customers.”

Upon completion, the expansion project will result in an increase in compression and associated facilities on the Canadian Mainline pipeline. This is expected to facilitate the transport of an additional 80 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

According to TransCanada, the expanded capacity would cover the gas demand for nearly 300,000 more homes on a yearly basis.

The energy firm plans to file an application with the NEB in early 2018 after finishing its tariff process for capacity additions, with an aim to begin transport of the additional gas by 1 November 2019.

TransCanada says that the new investment is part of a near C$500m ($401m) program undertaken by it to facilitate additional transportation of Canadian and US gas along its Canadian Mainline System.