Enbridge Starts Construction on $4 Billion Sunrise Pipeline Expansion

Enbridge has begun construction on its $4 billion Sunrise Expansion in British Columbia, adding 87 miles of pipeline and 300 million cubic feet per day of capacity to the Westcoast natural gas transmission system.

(P&GJ) — Enbridge has begun construction on its $4 billion Sunrise Expansion Program in British Columbia, a project that will add 300 million cubic feet per day of natural gas transportation capacity to the company's Westcoast pipeline system while supporting growing LNG exports from Canada's West Coast.

The project follows federal approval granted in April and is designed to increase capacity on the Westcoast natural gas transmission system serving British Columbia, Alberta and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

Construction includes approximately 87 miles (140 km) of new pipeline installed through 11 looping segments, along with additional compression and upgrades to existing facilities.

Once complete, the expansion will increase pipeline capacity by up to 300 million cubic feet per day, helping meet rising natural gas demand in British Columbia and supplying LNG export projects, including Woodfibre LNG.

Enbridge said the project is expected to create approximately 2,500 construction jobs and generate more than $3 billion in economic activity.

The company also said Canadian-produced steel supplied by InterPro Pipe + Steel will be used throughout the expansion.

Last year, 38 Indigenous communities in British Columbia acquired a 12.5% ownership interest in Enbridge's Westcoast pipeline system through the federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program. Enbridge said it has spent more than $52 million with Indigenous-owned businesses on the Sunrise Expansion to date.

Enbridge President and CEO Greg Ebel said construction marks an important milestone for the project.

"This project will strengthen energy security, support economic growth, create jobs and help ensure Canadians have access to reliable, affordable energy for decades to come."

Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson, said the project advanced from federal approval to construction in about three months.

"The Sunrise Expansion Program shows how Canada is getting major projects built."

The Sunrise Expansion is expected to strengthen natural gas transportation capacity as demand grows from domestic consumers, industrial users and LNG export facilities on Canada's West Coast.