Yes, a pipeline in our backyards
November 25, 2008 | by Elaine Storey, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
In today’s market, the cost for Enbridge Inc. to snake an oil pipeline from Bruderheim, Alberta, through the center of British Columbia to Kitimat will range in the $4 billion price range. There will be more pubic hearings and consultations before the plan is ready for the regulatory application process in the summer of 2009. Upon regulatory confirmation, construction could begin as early as 2010 or 2011 and completed as early as 2014.
The completed pipeline will measure 1,170 kilometers in length, traversing mountain ranges and all types of terrain before reaching the Pacific Ocean at Kitimat. For the 20 or 30 water crossings along the route, Enbridge will likely put the line 30 to 50 metres below ground. “There will be a 11 km tunnel near the Kitimat end, through the Coast Mountains,” said director of communications Neil Sweeney. The Northern Gateway project would connect the Enbridge network with lines that originate in Montreal and travel south in the United States as far as Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Last week, the Enbridge open house in Vanderhoof welcomed enquiries from community members, business people, civic leaders and environmentalists.
A marine terminal, two pipelines, and 10 pump stations will make up the Northern Gateway Project. Once the route is finalized, and construction is underway, the pipelines will be put in place and buried to a depth of one metre along a 25-metre wide swath. There will be no formal above-ground debris to advertise the line’s placement. Both lines will be serviced by 10 pumping stations that will be strategically placed along the route - seven in B.C. and three in Alberta. Both local communities of Fort St James and Burns Lake will house a pump station.
“It’s an ambitious project and should it go ahead, it’ll be very exciting for Vanderhoof,” said Mayor-elect Gerry Thiessen, adding that the ball is in Vanderhoof’s court now to decide where the Northern Gateway Project fits in their community plan. “It’s very positive, and we’ll let them know we’ll be available to provide services during the construction phase, and upon completion.”
Once the twin-line project is completed, the west flowing crude will be shipped in 36 inch lines that will pump 525,000 barrels of oil per day. At the Kitimat Marine Port, the oil will be shipped to Asia and California. The east line will ship condensate through 20 inch lines from Kitimat back to Alberta.
At the Kitimat terminal there will be two ship berths, 11 petroleum and three condensate storage tanks, a radar monitoring system and complete first response capabilities. Four thousand jobs will be created during the overall construction stage and once the Kitimat Terminal is open for shipping, dozens of full-time jobs will be created to monitor the marine environment and to operate the terminal and its waters.
Acclaimed Fraser Lake Mayor Dwayne Lindstrom is excited about the project, and looks forward to working with Enbridge in the future. He researched the project in its infancy three years ago before winning his seat on council. “I am in full support of it. My house is fairly close to the proposed route, and I see it as being similar to the existing pipeline in that it’s another opportunity for A.T.V.’s.” As a spin-off after construction, Lindstrom would like to see a tri-community trail system link the three communities of Vanderhoof, Fort St James and Fraser Lake.
Craig Hooper of Vanderhoof, who attended the open house, said he asked Enbridge representatives about the route and whether it crosses the Heritage trial that links Fort St James to Nautley and beyond. “I wanted them to be aware of the Heritage trail. If they’ll be crossing it, it’s important they know the historical importance.” Hooper was interested to know how they (Enbridge) will handle crossing private property, and how it will affect those who wish to use the 25-metre swath as a recreational opportunity.
Roger Harris, vice president of operations, came on board the project in April 2008. Harris, who lives in the northwest, has three points to make about the project: Inviting First Nations to partner and giving them up to 10 per cent as an equity investment option; how to leave behind a legacy in communities all along the route; and how to make it a green project. “It’s not just about digging a hole and burying some pipe and reforesting, it’s to be talked about as a business opportunity in places where the construction is planned.” Two examples already being considered for communities on the route are cross-country ski trails around Terrace, and bike trails in Burns Lake.
“Pipelines are new in B.C.,” said Sweeney. “We want to talk with everyone who has questions or concerns about the project. The Open Houses and consultation process are great opportunities for the public to learn about the route and examine the scale model of the marine terminal at Kitimat.”
The results of the consultation will be considered as part of the routing and project design.
