Partial upgrading could help alleviate Alberta's pipeline constraints

摘要

Turner, Mason & Co.(TMC)estimates that diluent accounts for around 30 vol% of diluted bitumen, meaning that, in one sense, pipeline capacity can only ever be utilized at a maximum of 70% when shipping the crude. Pipeline and rail space is also used to transport diluents to Western Canada's production areas. Both of the pipelines that currently ship diluent to Alberta formerly carried crude out of the Canadian province. Kinder Morgan reversed its Cochin system in 2014 to move 95K b/d of condensate from Kankakee(Illinois, US)to Fort Saskatchewan. Enbridge reversed its Line 13(“Southern Lights”)in 2010 to ship 180K b/d of condensate from Manhattan(IL, US)to Edmonton. Now, the company is considering another reversal, returning 150K b/d of southbound crude capacity by around 2023.(Please see related article on p. 5 of the March 25 Digest)