Trans Mountain Reaches Settlement Agreement With Pipeline Shippers
Trans Mountain Reaches Settlement Agreement With Pipeline Shippers.
Trans Mountain has filed a negotiated settlement with the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) covering tolling, tariffs, and transportation services for the Trans Mountain Pipeline System after roughly 18 months of negotiations with shippers. The agreement, which represents the majority of contracted firm volumes on the system, would create a long-term commercial framework governing pipeline access, pricing and service if approved by the regulator.
How will the settlement affect pipeline capacity allocation?
The settlement would resolve all outstanding issues in the CER's RH-002-2023 proceeding, finalize tolls dating back to May 1, 2024, and increase the share of pipeline capacity reserved for firm contracts from 80% to 90% of nominal capacity. It would also support transportation agreements awarded during the 2026 open season for long-term contracts, which were contingent on regulatory approval. Trans Mountain is seeking approval by Oct. 1, 2026, for implementation beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
The filing comes as the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline continues to operate at full capacity, underscoring strong demand for Canadian crude exports to Pacific markets. The company said its Mainline Optimization Program - including drag-reducing agents and targeted infrastructure upgrades - is expected to add up to 300,000 barrels per day of incremental capacity by the end of 2028. An initial increase of roughly 90,000 bpd could be available by year-end following the first regulatory approval, with an open season for the new capacity scheduled from July 13 through Aug. 10.
The Trans Mountain Expansion entered commercial service in 2024, nearly tripling pipeline capacity to about 890,000 bpd and providing Canadian producers with expanded access to export markets on the Pacific Coast. The proposed settlement aims to provide long-term commercial certainty for shippers while supporting future optimization projects as Canada's only crude export pipeline to the West Coast continues operating near full utilization.
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Sinergia Empresarial continuará el seguimiento de esta información sobre trans Mountain Reaches Settlement Agreement With Pipeline Shippers y ampliará la cobertura conforme se confirmen nuevos elementos relevantes para el ecosistema empresarial.
