Canada’s government on Tuesday approved a controversial pipeline proposal that would bring oil to the Pacific Coast for shipment to Asia, a major step in the country’s efforts to diversify its oil exports if it can overcome fierce opposition from environmental and aboriginal groups.
Approval for Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project was expected as Canada needs infrastructure in place to export its growing oil sands production. The project’s importance has only grown since the US delayed a decision on TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline that would take oil from Alberta to the US Gulf Coast.
The northern Alberta region has the world’s third-largest oil reserves, with 170 billion barrels of proven reserves.
Photo: Reuters
Enbridge’s pipeline would transport 525,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta’s oil sands to the Pacific to deliver oil to Asia, mainly energy-hungry China. About 220 large oil tankers a year would visit the Pacific coast town of Kitimat and opponents fear pipeline leaks and a potential tanker spill on the pristine Pacific coast.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said national interest makes the pipelines essential.
He was “profoundly disappointed” that US President Barack Obama has delayed a decision on the Texas Keystone XL option, and spoke of the need to diversify Canada’s oil industry.
Ninety-seven percent of Canadian oil exports now go to the US.
Meanwhile, China’s growing economy is hungry for Canadian oil. Chinese state-owned companies have invested more than US$40 billion in Canadian energy in the past few years.
The Harper government declined requests for comment on Tuesday, only issuing a statement.
Canadian Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford said in a statement that Enbridge must meet the 209 conditions Canada’s regulator imposed on the pipeline. The company has previously said it would.
Enbridge president and chief executive officer Al Monaco welcomed the decision, but said: “We still have some more work to do.”
The fear of oil spills is especially acute in the pristine corner of northwest British Columbia, with its snowcapped mountains and deep ocean inlets. Canadians living there still remember the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989.
British Columbia Premier Christy Clark set out five conditions for British Columbia’s support, and on Tuesday she repeated her contention that those conditions have yet to be met.
Harper will have win support in British Columbia where he will want to preserve the 21 seats he has there. The British Columbia government can deny permits. Aborigines could also get in the way of construction trucks.
Environmentalists and Canada’s indigenous communities could delay approval all the way to the Supreme Court, and the tribes still hold title to some of the land the pipeline would cross. That means the government will have to move with extreme sensitivity.
Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said Aboriginal people will blockade any attempt by Enbridge to start work.
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