August 25, 2010

Enbridge plans regional pipeline expansion from Fort McMurray, Alberta

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

Enbridge is making plans to invest more than $400 million in the expansion of a regional pipeline from Fort McMurray.

The expansion is intended to accommodate increased oilsands activity.

“When we built the pipeline, we anticipated there would be an expansion,” said Enbridge’s Waupisoo capacity expansion project director, Lee Monthei.

“We could not increase the pipeline’s capacity and pressure if it was not designed this way. We are following through on the initial vision.”

The Waupisoo Pipeline is a system that takes about 280,000 barrels per day of oilsands crude from Enbridge’s Cheecham Terminal to Edmonton via the Stonefell terminal near Bruderheim, Alberta.

When the 380-kilometre, 30-inch diameter pipeline came into service in June 2008, the pipeline had been sized to carry up to 550,000 barrels per day.

The pipeline expansion will run from Fort McMurray to Edmonton.

“When we did the initial design, demand throughput was anticipated to increase over time,” he said.

“Based on an increase in the capacity of new and existing producers, this expansion is required.”

The pipeline links oilsands producers to their upgraders and refineries in the Edmonton area, as well as to connections with Canada’s interprovincial oil pipeline systems.

“We have the option of building incrementally to full capacity, but with Waupisoo we are going directly to full build out to reach full capacity with this phase of the project. However, our construction schedule will still start up the system incrementally.”

The pipeline capacity expansion will be achieved through modifications at two existing pump station facilities, as well as the addition of four new pump stations.

“We are just starting detailed engineering on the project. We have contracted Jacobs Engineering, but no one else as yet,” said Monthei.

“We design a project and then decide what work packages to release to the construction team. There are 20-30 different packages going out for tender.”

Monthei said Enbridge is developing a strategy to bid out work in packages as a lump sum.

However, the work that is being undertaken at existing facilities will be done on a time and materials basis.

New pump stations constructed at Leismer Station, Round Hill Station, Stonefell Station and Abee Station involve the installation of twelve 5,750 hp pump/motor units.

Construction at the Round Hill Station is restricted from March 1 to July 1, due to environmental concerns regarding a Caribou migratory zone.

Monthei said more winter work will be done at this station to accommodate this restriction.

At both the Cheecham Terminal and the Small Benn Station, two existing 5,000 hp pump/motor units will be replaced with four 5,750 hp pump/motor units.

In addition, a new pump will be added at the Small Benn Station and two more pumps will be added at the Cheecham terminal.

“It is a challenge to conduct the construction activities in existing facilities that continue to operate while we are there,” said Monthei.

Installation of one 6,000 hp variable frequency drive per pump will be completed at each of the six pump stations to provide pressure and product flow control.

According to Monthei, it is also challenging to work in remote areas where there is not a lot of infrastructure.

Modular construction camps will be needed to house workers during construction.

There will be a peak workforce of 250 people spread out over a number of individual stations.

Construction on the first phase of the project will begin in June 2011 and completion is scheduled for September 2012.

But, Monthei said, the completion of the last two stations is being pushed out to 2013 because of the need to build power transmission capacity.

“We deal with challenges by doing a lot of detailed planning, which for this project started in 2009,” he said. “We incorporate this planning into the detailed design effort.”

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