Alberta, B.C. recent system expansions benefits include enhancing market access
Last updated onA multi-year effort to expand the NGTL and Foothills systems has seen the in-service of several projects over the past few months, furthering North American energy security, boosting local economies and providing customers with additional market access.
View NGTL and Foothills systems on our Operations Map
The expansions help to provide natural gas where it’s needed, including LNG supply. In Alberta, the recent NGTL projects played a pivotal role in facilitating the transition from coal to lower-emission natural gas power generation.
Did you know?
NGTL's design allows for flexible operations to keep gas flowing safely and reliably which is beneficial for quickly responding to evolving situations like the 2023 Western Canada wildfires.
Recent project completions
Project |
System |
570km (354 mi) pipeline added |
Most recent in-service date* |
| North Corridor Expansion | NGTL | 81 km and additional compression | May 2023 |
| West Path Delivery 2022 | NGTL and Foothills | 23 km to NGTL, 13 km to Foothills | April 2023 |
| Groundbirch Mainline Loop – Sunrise section | NGTL | 24 km | April 2023 |
| 2021 NGTL System Expansion | NGTL | 344 km and additional compression | March 2023, meeting all firm current customer contracts |
| Edson Mainline Expansion | NGTL | 85 km** | October 2022 |
*Projects such as the 2021 NGTL System Expansion can have several sections with various in-service timelines.
**Additional facilities, like the Clearwater Compressor Unit Addition, had a role in increasing capacity. Upgrades to the facility were also part of the Edson Mainline Expansion project.
Record-breaking reach
The 2021 NGTL System Expansion project included the longest horizontal directional drill (HDD) at 1.4 km in North America for NPS 48 (48-inch diameter) pipe installed under the Pembina River.
By the numbers – how recent project expansions are collectively providing benefits
With 570 km of new pipe added to our existing pipeline systems, more gas can be transported across North America to heat and power homes, buildings, hospitals and schools, as well as further LNG supply out of the Gulf Coast.
For customers:
- The projects contributed to incremental throughput capacity on the NGTL System by 2 bcf/day – in large part due to the overall 2021 NGTL System Expansion – accounting for almost two thirds of the 2.9 bcf/day of system capacity added to NGTL since 2018. The additional capacity is allowing for a record amount of gas to be transported on the system.
For local economies:
- Project construction provided an economic benefit of approximately $2.1 billion in combined provincial GDP for Alberta and B.C.
- During peak construction, more than 10,365 people were employed as part of the project workforce.
- Over $2 million in community investment has been contributed to date to local communities as part of our commitment to landowners, rightsholders, and other stakeholders to build strong communities where we live and work.
- Now operational, the expansions will contribute approximately $8.3 million in annual property taxes to support schools, hospitals, emergency services, recreation facilities, recycling programs and other programs.
For Indigenous groups:
- Approximately $348 million was spent on Indigenous affiliated businesses during construction as part of our efforts to support Indigenous rightsholders.
New pipeline infrastructure decreases environmental impact
Pipeline technology has evolved. Today’s pipelines are helping TC Energy meet or exceed regulatory emissions targets with newer, more efficient technology, while also providing reliable energy.
What’s next?
Later this year, the West Path Delivery 2023 projects and Groundbirch Mainline Loop – Saturn section are anticipated to be complete and go into service, while energy transition projects, including the Alberta Carbon Grid, continue development.