West Coast Oil Pipeline
Proponent
Government of Alberta
Sector
Energy
Location
Bruderheim area of Alberta to southern British Columbia
Proponent
Government of Alberta
Sector
Energy
Location
Bruderheim area of Alberta to southern British Columbia
Description
The Government of Alberta is proposing an interprovincial pipeline, capable of transporting one million barrels per day (MMb/d) of crude oil, from the Edmonton region to a deepwater port in southern British Columbia (B.C.).
The proposed project comprises of the following major components:
- Receipt tank terminal
- ~1,250 km pipeline
- 11 pump stations
- Delivery tank terminal and marine facility
The proposed project corridor would begin at a receipt terminal in the Bruderheim area of Alberta. There, it will collect crude oil from various western Canadian pipelines, serving as a central hub where the product will be measured, stored and then transferred into the pipeline. The proposed pipeline and pump stations will transport the crude oil to a proposed marine terminal in southern B.C. for loading onto marine vessels for transport toward export markets.
The proposed corridor will largely follow the existing Trans Mountain corridor and will not require any adjustment to the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act.
This proposed project is in the early stages of development. The precise route remains to be determined and will continue to be developed through the next stages of the project, including working closely with stakeholders and Indigenous groups to understand areas of concern, wherever possible.
The proposal is dependent on the advancement of the Pathways Project, one of the largest carbon capture and storage projects in the world.
The Major Projects Office (MPO) is reviewing Alberta’s submission and commencing consultations, including with potentially impacted Indigenous communities, in order to inform the government’s decision on whether to list the project in the national interest, under the Building Canada Act.
Ownership group
An ownership group comprised of Trans Mountain Corporation (TMC), Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission (APMC), and Pembina Pipeline Corporation (Pembina, TSX:PPL) will form and lead a new jointly owned company:
- Pembina's economic interest through construction will be 10% with the opportunity for up to an additional 10% once the project enters commercial operation.
- TMC and APMC will own equal shares of the balance of the project.
In addition, there will be a real and meaningful opportunity for Indigenous equity participation. Consultations with respect to this participation will begin immediately.
TMC will be responsible for construction of the proposed project, making regulatory submissions to receive permits to operate, and subsequent operation of the asset. TMC will be engaged by the new company to design, develop, permit, construct and operate the project.
Description
The Government of Alberta is proposing an interprovincial pipeline, capable of transporting one million barrels per day (MMb/d) of crude oil, from the Edmonton region to a deepwater port in southern British Columbia (B.C.).
The proposed project comprises of the following major components:
- Receipt tank terminal
- ~1,250 km pipeline
- 11 pump stations
- Delivery tank terminal and marine facility
The proposed project corridor would begin at a receipt terminal in the Bruderheim area of Alberta. There, it will collect crude oil from various western Canadian pipelines, serving as a central hub where the product will be measured, stored and then transferred into the pipeline. The proposed pipeline and pump stations will transport the crude oil to a proposed marine terminal in southern B.C. for loading onto marine vessels for transport toward export markets.
The proposed corridor will largely follow the existing Trans Mountain corridor and will not require any adjustment to the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act.
This proposed project is in the early stages of development. The precise route remains to be determined and will continue to be developed through the next stages of the project, including working closely with stakeholders and Indigenous groups to understand areas of concern, wherever possible.
The proposal is dependent on the advancement of the Pathways Project, one of the largest carbon capture and storage projects in the world.
The Major Projects Office (MPO) is reviewing Alberta’s submission and commencing consultations, including with potentially impacted Indigenous communities, in order to inform the government’s decision on whether to list the project in the national interest, under the Building Canada Act.
Ownership group
An ownership group comprised of Trans Mountain Corporation (TMC), Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission (APMC), and Pembina Pipeline Corporation (Pembina, TSX:PPL) will form and lead a new jointly owned company:
- Pembina's economic interest through construction will be 10% with the opportunity for up to an additional 10% once the project enters commercial operation.
- TMC and APMC will own equal shares of the balance of the project.
In addition, there will be a real and meaningful opportunity for Indigenous equity participation. Consultations with respect to this participation will begin immediately.
TMC will be responsible for construction of the proposed project, making regulatory submissions to receive permits to operate, and subsequent operation of the asset. TMC will be engaged by the new company to design, develop, permit, construct and operate the project.
Quick facts
- Capacity: The proposed pipeline would transport one million barrels per day of crude oil.
- Route: Final route and features to be determined through collaboration with impacted stakeholders, and with input from Indigenous communities, landowners and communities in BC and Alberta.
- Development: The proposed project would establish a new delivery terminal and marine facility to export crude oil to international markets, which would help diversify and increase exports to new and growing markets.
Benefits
- Addresses the limited ability to access global markets from tidewater, which has been a longstanding structural constraint in Canada’s energy infrastructure.
- The proposed project would establish a new delivery terminal and marine facility to export crude oil to global markets, which would help diversify and increase exports to new and growing markets.
- With a capacity of one million barrels per day (MMb/d), the proposed project would significantly strengthen Canada’s reputation as a responsible and reliable global energy superpower.
- The proposed project will include meaningful Indigenous equity purchase rights, drawn equally from Canada and Alberta’s shares in the project, supported equally by the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation and the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation. Equity participation would provide ongoing investment returns to Indigenous communities, resulting in new income streams that can be reinvested into community priorities, creating generational benefits that extend well beyond the life of the project itself.
- In addition to potential equity purchase and consultation in respect of the proposed project, the parties intend to pursue further meaningful Indigenous participation, including capacity funding and contracting and employment opportunities.
- A new west coast oil pipeline will ensure that Alberta’s oil reserves can deliver greater prosperity for Canadians through increased government revenues, high-paying jobs and international investment attraction.
- Employment impacts based on direct and indirect effects could peak at approximately 140,000 jobs at the height of construction. For Alberta, this would be approximately 45,000 jobs; for B.C., this would be approximately 70,000 jobs.
Latest updates
- On July 2, 2026, the Government of Canada officially referred the proposed West Coast Oil Pipeline Project to the MPO and initiated the process to consider listing it under the Building Canada Act. Before any decision is taken, consultations will be held with potentially impacted Indigenous communities, to inform the federal government’s decision on the project’s listing. Canada intends to give notice in the Canada Gazette by October 1, 2026, if it plans to list the project.
- As the review process advances, all steps and decisions will fully respect Canada’s obligations to consult with Indigenous Peoples and will be informed by the outcomes of that consultation. Canada and Alberta will also continue to engage closely with the Government of British Columbia as this process advances.
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