West Coast Oil Pipeline
Proponent
Government of Alberta
Sector
Energy
Location
Bruderheim, Alberta to southern British Columbia
Proponent
Government of Alberta
Sector
Energy
Location
Bruderheim, Alberta to southern British Columbia
This project is being listed under the Building Canada Act
Description
The Government of Alberta is proposing the West Coast Oil Pipeline (the Project), an interprovincial pipeline capable of transporting one million barrels per day (MMb/d) of Canadian crude oil, from Bruderheim, Alberta to a deepwater port near Delta, British Columbia (B.C.), where the oil would be transferred to vessels and shipped to global markets.
The proposed Project comprises of the following major components:
- A receipt tank terminal in Bruderheim, Alberta, where product will be received, measured, stored, and then pumped through the pipeline;
- A pipeline up to approximately 1250 km in length;
- Power interconnection, transmission, and possible generation;
- Approximately 11 pump stations along the route to keep product flowing and maintain the required flow rate and pressure over long distances; and
- A delivery tanks terminal and offshore marine loading facility with capacity for Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) vessels where product will be delivered, stored, and then loaded on to VLCC vessels.
The corridor for the pipeline largely aligns with disturbed land and existing infrastructure, including the existing Trans Mountain pipeline system (i.e., Line 2, the Trans Mountain Expansion Project) 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 Building Canada Act process, including working closely with stakeholders and Indigenous communities to understand areas of concern, wherever possible.
The proposed Project will advance alongside the Pathways Project, one of the world's largest post-combustion carbon capture and storage projects.
Following the Project's referral on July 2, 2026, the Major Projects Office (MPO) reviewed Alberta’s submission and held 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
Trans Mountain Corporation (TMC), Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission (APMC), and Pembina Pipeline Corporation (Pembina) (together, the Ownership Group) 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 will continue as project-specific information becomes available through the regulatory review process.
TMC will be engaged by the new company to design, develop, permit, construct and operate the Project.
Description
The Government of Alberta is proposing the West Coast Oil Pipeline (the Project), an interprovincial pipeline capable of transporting one million barrels per day (MMb/d) of Canadian crude oil, from Bruderheim, Alberta to a deepwater port near Delta, British Columbia (B.C.), where the oil would be transferred to vessels and shipped to global markets.
The proposed Project comprises of the following major components:
- A receipt tank terminal in Bruderheim, Alberta, where product will be received, measured, stored, and then pumped through the pipeline;
- A pipeline up to approximately 1250 km in length;
- Power interconnection, transmission, and possible generation;
- Approximately 11 pump stations along the route to keep product flowing and maintain the required flow rate and pressure over long distances; and
- A delivery tanks terminal and offshore marine loading facility with capacity for Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) vessels where product will be delivered, stored, and then loaded on to VLCC vessels.
The corridor for the pipeline largely aligns with disturbed land and existing infrastructure, including the existing Trans Mountain pipeline system (i.e., Line 2, the Trans Mountain Expansion Project) 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 Building Canada Act process, including working closely with stakeholders and Indigenous communities to understand areas of concern, wherever possible.
The proposed Project will advance alongside the Pathways Project, one of the world's largest post-combustion carbon capture and storage projects.
Following the Project's referral on July 2, 2026, the Major Projects Office (MPO) reviewed Alberta’s submission and held 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
Trans Mountain Corporation (TMC), Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission (APMC), and Pembina Pipeline Corporation (Pembina) (together, the Ownership Group) will form and lead a new jointly owned company:
- Pembina's economic interest through construction will be 10 per cent with the opportunity for up to an additional 10 per cent 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 will continue as project-specific information becomes available through the regulatory review process.
TMC will be engaged by the new company to design, develop, permit, construct and operate the Project.
Quick facts
- Building Canada Act: The proposed Project is a project of national interest listed under the Building Canada Act.
- Capacity: The proposed pipeline would transport one million barrels per day of Canadian 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 B.C. 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
- The proposed Project 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. Canada, Alberta, and the Project's Ownership Group have affirmed a commitment to offer to Indigenous communities a minimum of ten percent ownership interest in the Project. Access to this offering will be supported by the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation and the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation, which assist eligible Indigenous communities with financing capacity to purchase Project equity. The terms of offer will be settled prior to construction. 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 equity purchase rights and consultation in respect of the proposed project, the parties intend to pursue further meaningful Indigenous participation, including employment, training, contracting, and procurement opportunities.
- A new west coast oil pipeline would ensure that Alberta’s oil reserves can deliver greater prosperity for Canadians through increased government revenues, high-paying jobs and international investment attraction.
- Estimated employment impacts based on direct and indirect effects could peak at approximately 140,000 jobs at the height of pipeline construction and upstream development.
Latest updates
- On October 1, 2026, the Government of Canada announced WCOP as a project of national interest listed under Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act.
- On August 1, 2026, Canada provided notice in the Canada Gazette that the Governor in Council may amend Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act to list WCOP as a project of national interest.
- In July 2026, MPO began consultations with Indigenous communities, provincial governments, and with federal permitting departments, as a part of the process towards assessing the potential listing of WCOP as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act.
- On July 2, 2026, the Government of Canada officially referred WCOP to MPO and initiated the process to consider listing it under the Building Canada Act.
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