Trans Mountain Pipeline Linefill Set for Feb - Majority March

The long-delayed Trans Mountain pipeline will begin filling with oil in February.

• The majority of the 890,000 bpd line will be filled in March and last about 2-3 weeks but linefill will begin in February according to Jason Balasch, senior director of business development at Trans Mountain.
• The Heavy Western Canadian Select discounts narrowed vs WTi to the tightest since August after the remarks.
• This had widened into the later months of last year over project delay fears.
• The project will triple the pipelines capacity, supporting Canadian crude production and helping move its barrels towards Asia.
• The first tanker to carry crude from the Trans Mountain pipeline is set to load in Vancouver in April, Balasch said.
• Regulators agreed to allow Trans Mountain to finish the project with a lower diameter pipe this month, a move which is said has saved multiple years of delays as it nears completion.