ATCO Energy Systems (ATCO) has filed a regulatory application with the Alberta Utilities Commission for the Yellowhead Mainline natural gas project. ATCO has identified several potential routes and completed preliminary engineering to further refine the delivery capability and the scope. The project is expected to have the capability to deliver 1.1 Bcf/d (31.1 x 106 m3/d) of incremental natural gas delivery capacity. Total investment for the project is estimated at US$2.8 billion and will be subject to further detailed engineering and tendering of supply contracts.
While the final route and facility locations have not yet been established, the Yellowhead Mainline project will include the installation of approximately 140 miles (226 km) of 36-in. (914-mm) pipeline from NGTL’s January Creek transmission system to ATCO’s existing Inland transmission system with maximum operating pressure of 1225 psi (84.5 bar). The NGTL system is a gathering and transportation system in Alberta and northeastern British Columbia that transports natural gas produced in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin to markets in Canada and the United States.
Planned facilities include installation of the Yellowhead Mainline West Interconnect Station, installation of the Yellowhead Mainline East Control Station, and installation of the Yellowhead Mainline Compressor Station.
The pipeline and all facilities will be owned and operated by ATCO.
The Yellowhead Mainline project is expected to be online in Q4 2027, with construction planned to start in 2026, subject to regulatory and company approvals. Upon completion, it will provide a direct path to supply natural gas from the western side of the Alberta, Canada, to the greater Edmonton area and increase the overall capacity of the Integrated Alberta System.