Kinder Morgan begins survey work for Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion

According to local press reports, Kinder Morgan has begun survey work at Burnaby Mountain for the planned expansion of its Trans Mountain Pipeline. If realised, the US$ 5.4 billion expansion project would result in an extra 590 000 bpd of oil passing through Metro Vancouver.

“What they need is a clear line, a path about a metre wide to be able to lay that line out so that they can set geophones down and set a charge and then do the readings,” said Carey Johannesson, Trans Mountain Project Spokesman. Survey and geotechnical work will take place around Burnaby Mountain (between Kinder Morgan’s Burnaby tank farm and the Westridge Marine terminal) from 27 August to 30 September.

However, the energy giant is facing opposition to the proposed expansion. The city denied Kinder Morgan an encroachment permit to conduct the work but this was overruled by the NEB. Federal legislation allows pipeline companies the right to conduct surveys and tests on any land that lies on proposed pipeline routes.

Mayor Derek Corrigan told local press that he would allow non-invasive work to be carried out; however, the company must comply with all of the city’s bylaws. “If there is any infractions of our bylaws, then staff will be issuing an order to stop. We’re going to be enforcing the bylaws until the National Energy Board says they want to overrule our bylaws, and if they say that, then we are in the courts,” said Corrigan.

Edited from various sources by Rosalie Starling

Sources: The Province, The Vancouver Sun, CBC News

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/02092014/kinder-morgan-begins-survey-work-for-trans-mountain-pipeline-expansion-771/