Canada to fast-track Pacific oil pipeline review

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced an accelerated federal review of Pacific Link, a proposed 1,250km oil pipeline from Alberta to Canada’s Pacific coast. He says it would help Canada find more buyers for its oil beyond the US. Canada sent 90% of its crude-oil exports to the US in 2025. [1]

The proposed route runs from Bruderheim, Alberta, to a deep-water port near Delta, British Columbia. It is designed to carry about one million barrels of crude a day. Carney has described a west-coast pipeline as part of his wider goal of doubling Canadian exports to countries other than the US over the next decade. [1]

Pacific Link would be the first project to have its federal approvals and regulatory reviews fast-tracked under legislation introduced last year. The aim is to reach a final yes-or-no decision within a year; the announcement does not amount to approval to build. [1]

The project’s estimated cost is C$35.2bn to C$43.7bn. The Canadian and Alberta governments back it, while Pembina Pipeline Corporation has a non-binding agreement for a 10% stake during construction, with an option for a further 10% once it is operating. Carney has forecast a boost to annual GDP of up to C$30bn and the creation of 140,000 jobs. [1]