Enbridge is always looking at ways to support its customers in new and innovative ways. Given the unprecedented times, Enbridge has been exploring all options to make additional storage capacity available until the economy and demand recovers. The company has examined its entire system and identified an opportunity to use a portion of the legacy Line 3 pipeline in Canada, between Regina and Cromer, as temporary, regulated storage before the pipeline is decommissioned next year as per Enbridge’s regulatory approval for the Line 3 Replacement Project.
Enbridge is offering approximately 900 000 bbls, or about four standard-sized tanks, for an eight-month term. This temporary solution will safely make this storage capacity available to assist industry until market demand returns towards the end of the year.
Testing has been completed to ensure that the section of pipe meets all necessary safety protocols to be used as storage. Enbridge will also be running an inline inspection tool and conducting integrity digs to ensure the safety of the line.
The energy industry is facing serious challenges right now with unprecedented market impacts. Enbridge is working with governments to support producers’ goal of more storage. This temporary storage, along with the further maintenance optimisations to the company’s storage tank programme, will create more than 2 million bbls of additional storage capacity for 2020.