Westcoast Energy Inc. (Westcoast), an Enbridge company, is proposing the Sunrise Expansion Program, an expansion of the southern portion of the BC Pipeline system, known as T-South. The company plans to file a regulatory application with the Canada Energy Regulator in Q2 2024. To support its application, environmental, geotechnical, and socio-economic studies are underway. These studies will determine the final configuration, location, and timing of new facilities, including compressor station upgrades and pipeline loops.
Planned Compression
Early plans call for the installation of new compressors at four existing compressor stations — Azouzetta Lake (CS-2B), 93 Mile (CS-6B), Kingsvale (CS-8A), and Othello (CS-8B). Westcoast is considering the use of electric-drive compressors for some of the compression required. Up to 20 miles (32 km) of new transmission powerlines will be required to accommodate electric-drive compression.
Pipeline Looping
As proposed, the project includes the installation of 85 miles (137 km) of 42-inch (1066 mm) pipeline looping in various segments along the system. The pipeline loops will be added along Westcoast’s existing right-of-way. They will run parallel to and connect with the existing pipeline system.
The project, expected to be in operation in 2028, will provide up to 300 MMcf/d (8.4 x 106 m3/d) of additional natural gas transportation capacity on the T-South system.
Westcoast owns and operates a natural gas transmission system in British Columbia (BC) that transports processed natural gas for markets throughout BC, Alberta, and the Pacific
Northwest. This gas is ultimately used for heating, as a fuel for electric power generation, and as feedstock in a number of industrial and manufacturing processes.
