The Canada Energy Regulator has approved a new pipeline project that will connect Taylor, British Columbia, to Gordondale, Alberta. The project is valued at about $340.9 million and will run for roughly 89 kilometers. The proponent, Pouce Coupé Pipe Line Ltd., is a subsidiary of Pembina Pipeline Corporation.
The approval comes after an extensive review that included technical assessments, safety analysis, and consultation with Indigenous communities along the proposed route. The regulator issued a certificate that allows the company to move forward with planning, pre-construction work, and preparations for construction.
Project details
The pipeline will carry natural gas liquids. It will run from the Taylor Tank Farm facility east of the community of Taylor, cross into Alberta, and end at a block valve station near Gordondale. The proposed pipeline will be a 16-inch diameter line.
The project also includes upgrades at the Taylor Tank Farm. Plans call for installation of two new electric booster pumps and two new electric mainline pumps. These additions are intended to support the increased product flow once the pipeline is in service.
The route follows existing or previously approved rights of way for most of its length. Only a small portion requires new disturbance or new land access.
Economic impact
During regulatory review, the company and independent analysts presented estimates of economic benefit linked to construction. Spending is expected to contribute more than one hundred million dollars to the British Columbia economy and several tens of millions to Alberta. Additional indirect benefits include spending on equipment, fuel, accommodations, and contracted services.
The regulator concluded that the project is economically feasible. It found that current market demand and long-term shipping commitments support the need for this pipeline.
Indigenous consultation and environmental conditions
Indigenous consultation was a major part of the review process. More than thirty Indigenous communities were notified or engaged at different stages. Communities raised concerns related to land access, wildlife, vegetation, water crossings, and long-term reclamation. The regulator responded by issuing the approval with forty conditions.
These conditions require the company to:
- Create an Indigenous project committee to review construction plans and monitor field work.
- File a greenhouse gas emissions plan that shows how the project will manage emissions over its lifecycle.
- Provide detailed reclamation plans to restore disturbed areas, including riparian zones and wildlife habitat.
The regulator stated that anticipated effects on vegetation, wildlife, and land use are low to medium in scale if conditions are met. The company must submit regular compliance updates throughout construction and after the line enters service.
Next steps
With the certificate issued, the project moves into the final planning stage. Engineering work is underway. A final investment decision from Pembina is expected in 2026. If the timeline stays on schedule, construction would begin shortly after that decision. The company has previously stated that it targets an in-service date in early 2026.
Once operational, the pipeline will move natural gas liquids from the Montney region to processing and storage facilities in Alberta. The pipeline is expected to increase system efficiency and reduce reliance on trucking and rail transport for these products.
The regulator stated that the project meets Canada’s safety, environmental, and public interest requirements. The pipeline cannot begin operating until all conditions are met.
