Oil Export Pipeline
Canada’s federal government has designated the proposed Pacific Link oil pipeline a ‘major project’.
This paves the way for an accelerated approval process for the C$35.2 billion–C$43.7 billion (US$24.7 billion–US$30.7 billion) development.
The 1,250-kilometre pipeline would transport up to 1 million barrels of Alberta oil per day from Bruderheim to a new deepwater export terminal near Delta, British Columbia.
The project is intended to significantly expand Canada’s access to Asian energy markets and reduce its reliance on the US as its primary crude oil customer.
Prime Minister Mark Carney described the pipeline as “critical” to Canada’s ambition to become a global energy superpower and achieve greater strategic and trade autonomy.
Pacific Link would include 11 pumping stations and largely follow existing infrastructure and previously disturbed land to limit its environmental footprint. Early construction could begin as soon as September 2027, with completion targeted for 2032 at the earliest.
Combined with optimisation of the existing Trans Mountain system, the project could reduce Canada’s fixed land-pipeline dependency on the US from approximately 82–83% of capacity to 65–70%.
Canada and Alberta will hold equal ownership positions through Trans Mountain Corporation and the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission. Pembina Pipeline will take an initial 10% stake, with an option to increase this to 20%, while First Nations groups will have the option to acquire a 10% interest.
The Major Projects Office and Canada Energy Regulator will now lead the federal review and stakeholder consultation process, with the government aiming to finalise conditions for the project to proceed by 1 September 2027.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the project’s new status ‘a significant victory for Alberta’s and Canada’s energy future’.
