Fort McMurray Forum

Enbridge looks to curb Northern Gateway concerns with new pipeline measures

Enbridge trying to win over critics by pledging to heighten pipeline safety and operations measures.

The Calgary-based company behind the $5.5 billion Northern Gateway project, designed to carry oil sands crude from a terminal near Edmonton to Kitimat on British Columbia's west coast, for export to Asia is looking to curb concern over the proposal.

The corporation says it would increase the thickness of the pipeline walls and add to the number of remotely-operated isolation valves in B.C. by 50 per cent.

The oil giant would also Increase pipeline inspections by at least 50 per cent over current standards and staff pumping stations in remote locations on a continuous 24/7 basis.

Enbridge expects the extra measures to cost as much as $500 million.

The more than 1,200 kilometre oil sands link has come under attack from First Nations and environmentalists who fear a spill could destroy the pristine region