Route proposed for High Country natural gas pipeline

A natural gas pipeline in Foothills County, in the works since 2020, has been approved but landowners have a chance to have their say on its route.

The NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) West Path Delivery 2023 Project will see about 39 kilometres of natural gas pipeline added to NGTL’s exisiting distribution network. It will be constructed in three sections, near Diamond Valley, Longview and further south near the Town of Pincher Creek. NGTL is a subsidiary of TC Energy.

On the project website, TC Energy says the route has been finalized, but landowners whose land may be adversely affected have until Feb. 10 to submit a written statement of opposition with the Canadian Energy Regulator (CER). A form can be found at www.cer-rec.gc.ca/statement-opposition.

The pipeline's route is shown on a map that was published in the Jan. 11 issue of the Western Wheel.

TC Energy told the Western Wheel that it has been in contact with local stakeholders, and the company will work with the CER and landowners if there are any objections to the preferred route, and will make adjustments if feasible.

The NGTL West Path Delivery 2023 Project consists of new 48-inch diameter pipeline constructed in three sections. 

The Turner Valley section, about three kilometres northwest of Diamond Valley, is planned to be about 23 kilometres in length. Initial ground clearing is expected to begin early this year. 

The Longview section, planned at about nine kilometres in length, will be located about 30 kilometres southwest of the Town of High River. 

The third section, a seven-kilometre stretch, will be located about 30 kilometres northwest of the Town of Pincher Creek. 

The pipeline will be below ground, adjacent to existing right-of-way where other pipelines are currently operating, TC Energy said.

Construction is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2023, with completion and start-up in November this year.

The three pipeline sections are part of the 25,000-kilometre NGTL system that delivers natural gas from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin to domestic and international markets.  

The project was approved by the Government of Canada in November, 2022, with 34 conditions. At that time, Natural Resources Canada (NRC) said in a press release the project will improve market access to the United States for Canadian natural gas. 

Construction is expected to create more than 1,160 jobs and bring $180 million to Alberta’s economy.

More information about the NGTL West Path Delivery 2023 Project is available on the Canada Energy Regulator's website or TC Energy's website.