Trans Mountain pipeline

Trans Mountain Corporation
Company type	Crown corporation
Industry	Oil and gas pipeline transportation
Predecessor	Kinder Morgan Canada (pipeline ownership)
Founded	March 21, 1951; 75 years ago in Canada
Headquarters	Canada
Area served	Western Canada, British Columbia coast, Northwestern United States
Key people	Ian Anderson (CEO)
Products	Crude oil, refined petroleum products transportation
Owner	Government of Canada
Parent	Canada Development Investment Corporation
Website	www.transmountain.com

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Trans Mountain pipeline, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 7 August 2025

The Trans Mountain Pipeline System (TMPL) is a multi-product pipeline that transports both crude oil and refined petroleum products from Edmonton, Alberta, to the British Columbia coast in Canada.

Commissioned in 1951, construction commenced in 1952, and operations began the following year in 1953. It remains the sole pipeline linking these two regions. In 2008, a second parallel pipeline was completed between Hinton, Alberta and Hargreaves, British Columbia. The Trans Mountain Expansion Project, introduced in 2013, aimed to add a looping pipeline alongside the existing one. By January 2024, this expansion was 98% finalized and officially started operations on 1 May 2024. The project boosted capacity from to , with an investment of C$53 billion.

The expansion encountered significant opposition due to environmental concerns and objections from First Nations communities over insufficient consultation regarding unceded indigenous territories. However, in July 2020, the Supreme Court dismissed appeals from First Nations and environmental organizations, effectively concluding the legal disputes.

On 31 August 2018, the Government of Canada purchased the pipeline from Kinder Morgan for $4.7 billion by establishing Trans Mountain Corporation (TMC) to guarantee the project's progress. TMC functions as a Crown corporation under the Canada Development Investment Corporation. Before this transaction, Kinder Morgan’s Canadian subsidiary headquartered in Houston owned the pipeline.

History

The discovery of substantial oil reserves near Leduc, Alberta, in February 1947 prompted plans for a pipeline connecting Alberta to British Columbia. This was intended to supply increasing oil demand across Asia and the western coasts of Canada and the United States. The project also held strategic military importance for both Canadian and U.S. defense forces.

The Trans Mountain Pipeline Company was founded on March 21, 1951, through a special act passed by the Canadian Parliament. The Board of Transport Commissioners swiftly approved the pipeline proposal, with construction beginning in February 1952. The final segment near Aldergrove, British Columbia, was finished by October 17, 1952. According to a 2019 JWN Energy report, concerns related to the Korean War accelerated approval and construction processes since the pipeline reduced dependence on vulnerable oil tankers along North America's west coast. Engineering and construction were managed by Canadian Bechtel Ltd., with ownership shared between Canadian Bechtel Ltd. and Standard Oil.

By August 1953, TMPL was transporting crude oil from Edmonton to refineries around Vancouver and supplying northwestern U.S. markets. The total expenditure for the project was $93 million, as stated by Premier W. A. C. Bennett during the inauguration ceremony. Up until 1983, TMPL exclusively carried crude oil for refineries in Vancouver and Washington state.

Transition from single-product to multi-product pipeline

Beginning in 1983, Trans Mountain transitioned from transporting only crude oil to carrying multiple petroleum products to improve operational efficiency and market competitiveness. By 1985, TMPL regularly shipped refined petroleum products from Edmonton to Kamloops, British Columbia, extending service to Vancouver by 1993. At that time, TMPL was recognized as the "only major system worldwide" capable of transporting both crude oil and refined products within one pipeline. By 1998, its shipments included jet fuel, various grades of gasoline (unleaded and premium), diesel fuels with different sulfur contents, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), alongside light sweet, light sour, and heavy crude oils.

In 2004, Kinder Morgan constructed an additional parallel pipeline between Hinton, Alberta and Hargreaves, British Columbia. This expansion involved installing two new pumping stations: Wolf near Niton Junction in Alberta and Chappel close to Pyramid Creek Falls Provincial Park in British Columbia. These enhancements raised capacity by , increasing throughput from .

TMPL and Oil Refining Facilities

Throughout the 1990s, Shell, Petro-Canada, and Imperial Oil shut down several refineries in British Columbia while expanding those located near Edmonton, a shift influenced by the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMPL). TMPL's batch transportation system facilitated the movement of both crude oil and refined products. Consequently, many refineries situated along the TMPL corridor were repurposed into storage and distribution hubs. Significant refinery closures included Royalite Refinery in Kamloops in 1983, Shell’s North Burnaby and Petro-Canada’s Port Moody facilities in 1993, and Imperial Oil’s Port Moody refinery in 1995. Following the inauguration of the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) in 2024, certain refiners expressed concerns regarding the quality of crude transported through the expanded pipeline.

Incident and Spill Record

By 2017, TMPL had reported around 84 spill incidents to Canada’s National Energy Board since its inception in 1961. The majority of these spills occurred within controlled environments such as pumping stations and were below the mandatory reporting threshold of 1.5 cubic meters; however, some incidents were more severe.

In 2005, a pipeline rupture in Abbotsford released approximately 210 cubic meters of crude oil, caused by activity on adjacent land. Two years later, a contractor’s accident in Burnaby ruptured a pipeline spilling between 224 and 234 cubic meters of crude, some of which entered Burrard Inlet through stormwater drains. This event resulted in oil contamination affecting eleven residences and prompted evacuation or voluntary departure of roughly 225 to 250 people, with cleanup efforts extending for over one year. In 2009, a leak at the Burnaby Terminal released 305 cubic meters of crude oil; most of this was contained within the terminal site.

A leak near Sumas in 2012 discharged around 90 cubic meters of light crude into a containment zone. Another spill occurred in 2020 involving approximately 190 cubic meters of light crude from a minor pipe connected to the mainline; this release was contained on-site with ongoing groundwater monitoring initiated.

Trans Mountain Expansion Project

On June 18, 2013, Kinder Morgan submitted an application to the National Energy Board proposing construction of a second pipeline parallel to the existing Trans Mountain Pipeline between Edmonton and Burnaby. The expansion plan included installation of twelve new pumping stations and about 980 kilometers of new pipe to boost capacity from 300,000 barrels per day to approximately 890,000 barrels per day. Initial cost projections for the segment between Strathcona County and Burnaby stood at $6.8 billion.

At that time, Kinder Morgan had secured support from major petroleum clients such as BP Canada Energy Trading Co., Canadian Natural Resources, Cenovus Energy Inc., Husky Energy Marketing Inc., Imperial Oil Ltd., Suncor Energy Marketing Inc., and Total E&P Canada Ltd. In 2016, British Columbia’s government opposed the project citing inadequate spill prevention measures. Nonetheless, on November 29, 2016, federal cabinet approval was granted with 157 legally binding conditions addressing Indigenous rights, socio-economic impacts, and environmental safeguards.

By January 2017, B.C. Premier Christy Clark endorsed the expansion after negotiating a revenue-sharing agreement valued at up to $1 billion. In 2018, the federal government acquired the pipeline from Kinder Morgan for C$4.5 billion and established Trans Mountain Corporation (TMC), a Crown corporation tasked with overseeing project completion. The government also sought external investors who would be indemnified against delays caused by provincial or municipal authorities.

In 2020, three insurers including Zurich Insurance Group withdrew their coverage; however, TMC maintained adequate insurance protection. Project costs rose sharply from $7.4 billion to $12.6 billion due to increased expenses related to labor, steel materials, and land acquisition. Despite obstacles such as the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced oil demand, and opposition protests, TMC CEO Ian Anderson confirmed in September 2020 that progress remained on track.

By February 2022, total expenditures had surged by approximately 70% reaching $21.4 billion. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland ruled out further federal funding amid pandemic-related budget pressures. To facilitate additional financing from third parties, the company transitioned to a non-agent Crown corporation status in April 2022. By March 2023, projected costs climbed further to $30.9 billion.

As of April 2022, construction was halfway finished; by November that year TMC anticipated mechanical completion during Q3 2023 with commercial operations beginning Q4 2023. By January 2023 over two-thirds—approximately 75%—of pipeline installation was complete. On January 3, 2024, TMC announced plans to initiate line filling between March and May depending on pipe diameter—this step being final before pipeline activation.

On May 1, 2024, after more than a decade and an investment totaling C$34 billion, the Trans Mountain Expansion officially commenced operations. This project nearly tripled Alberta’s oil export capacity to Canada’s Pacific coast at roughly 890,000 barrels per day, improving access to international markets and bolstering crude price stability.

Debate

The expansion initiative encountered opposition from environmental advocates and First Nations communities concerned about increased tanker navigation through a confined, shallow waterway, which elevated the risk of oil spills. Environmental groups pointed out that the project would obstruct approximately 30% of the Burrard Inlet and amplify tanker traffic by a factor of seven, intensifying spill hazards. Proponents countered that the development would generate employment opportunities and present a lower spill risk compared to rail transportation alternatives. A 2014 analysis by Simon Fraser University challenged Kinder Morgan’s projections regarding economic advantages. From 2008 to 2018, Western Canadian Select (WCS) crude consistently traded at an average discount of US$17 per barrel relative to West Texas Intermediate (WTI), with the gap expanding to a peak of US$50 near the end of 2018.

Although federal authorities granted approval, seven legal challenges were initiated in the Federal Court by Vancouver, Burnaby, and various First Nations groups. In 2017, the federal government pursued dispute resolution mechanisms to accelerate permit issuance, a move criticized by British Columbia’s Environmental Minister as federal intrusion into provincial jurisdiction. By January 2018, B.C. proposed limiting imports of diluted bitumen until further studies on spill prevention were completed, a measure Alberta Premier Rachel Notley dismissed as a delaying strategy. In retaliation, Alberta imposed a ban on British Columbia wine imports, which was subsequently lifted in February 2018.

In April 2018, Kinder Morgan halted "non-essential" pipeline operations to safeguard shareholder interests and requested funding commitments by May 31. Alberta responded with legislation granting authority over oil and gas export controls, prompting British Columbia to threaten legal action over constitutional grounds.

On May 29, 2018, the federal government declared its $4.5 billion purchase of the Trans Mountain Pipeline from Kinder Morgan, aiming to attract external investors for its expansion. This acquisition was executed via a crown corporation after previous attempts to find private buyers were unsuccessful. Critics labeled this intervention as a bailout funded by taxpayers. B.C. Premier John Horgan and Indigenous leaders expressed strong opposition to the acquisition. On August 30, Kinder Morgan shareholders ratified the sale; however, that same day the Federal Court of Appeal revoked expansion approvals due to insufficient consultation with First Nations and inadequate environmental assessments concerning tanker traffic effects on orca populations in the Salish Sea. Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated the federal government’s dedication to proceeding despite judicial obstacles. Following this ruling, Alberta exited the national carbon pricing program and initiated an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Protests

The pipeline expansion sparked resistance from municipal governments, First Nations groups, environmental organizations, and local residents. In September 2012, leaders of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation called for a complete halt to the project.

By November 2014, opponents established camps in Burnaby Mountain Park to obstruct construction activities, resulting in over one hundred arrests. Members of both the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations demonstrated by paddling canoes on Burrard Inlet near Kinder Morgan’s Burnaby Terminal in protest against the pipeline expansion. In a 2020 interview, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, predicted additional protests resembling those at Burnaby Mountain as construction resumed.

Demonstrations commenced in Vancouver on September 19, 2017. Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan addressed attendees at Stop Kinder Morgan gatherings. By 2018, opposition rallies had proliferated across Canada through organizations such as LeadNow and the Dogwood Initiative.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) oversaw protest activities on Burnaby Mountain. In July 2018, activists obstructed an oil tanker near Vancouver’s Ironworkers' Memorial Bridge. In September 2021, following a court injunction, RCMP removed protesters occupying a treetop camp within the Brunette River Conservation Area; this encampment had been established since December 2020 with participants signaling intentions for continued activism.

Opposition from the Secwépemc

Beginning in 2013, members of the Secwépemc community, predominantly women, voiced their resistance to the pipeline expansion spanning 518 km across their ancestral lands known as Secwepemcul’ecw. They criticized the consultation process as inadequate and expressed apprehensions about environmental harm, particularly to salmon habitats. Additionally, they highlighted infringements of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and violations of traditional Secwépemc laws upheld by the Okanagan Shuswap Confederacy. Their stance emphasized that while Canadian law grants First Nation band governments authority only over reserve lands, traditional Secwépemc leadership maintains sovereignty over Secwepemcul’ecw.

In July 2018, the Tiny House Warriors set up a protest camp near Blue River, British Columbia, close to pipeline construction activities. This prompted Chiefs Rosanne Casimir (Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc) and Shelly Loring (Simpcw First Nation) to call for the group’s withdrawal, citing breaches of Secwépemc legal principles.

By September 2020, protester Loralie Dick was detained for violating a British Columbia Supreme Court injunction that prohibited land defenders from obstructing pipeline operations. In October 2020, approximately 20 individuals occupied a protest camp along the Thompson River opposing the expansion. Chief Casimir offered conditional support contingent on adherence to health and safety protocols. After Trans Mountain employees conducted surveys near the river, protesters relocated the camp to impede construction and issued a second cease and desist directive to TMX. Following a chemical spill on October 11, the camp was moved again. Mid-October saw RCMP initiating arrests of protesters associated with this encampment.

Phase III Consultation Process

After the Federal Court revoked Trans Mountain’s federal approval, the Canadian government launched Phase III consultations under Natural Resources Canada’s leadership, with Justice Frank Iacobucci overseeing proceedings. A National Energy Board panel held three weeks of hearings beginning November 19, featuring testimony from 117 Indigenous groups impacted by the pipeline. Sessions were held in Calgary, Victoria, and Nanaimo.

The Trudeau administration imposed stringent constraints on these hearings regarding duration and scope, mandating submission of a final report by February 22, 2019. The NEB panel concentrated on "new information" focusing on effects related to increased oil tanker traffic departing from the Westridge Marine Terminal in Burrard Inlet into Canada’s 12-nautical-mile territorial waters. Environmental scrutiny centered on threats to southern resident killer whales (SRKW) in the Salish Sea, whose numbers had dwindled to 74 by November 2018 due to factors including noise pollution and declining Chinook salmon populations.

Roundtable discussions involving Trans Mountain representatives and Indigenous stakeholders took place in Calgary (November 2019), followed by meetings in Kamloops and Nanaimo (December), with summaries anticipated in January 2020.

Canadian Government's 2019 Endorsement of TMX

On June 18, 2019, federal authorities via the Governor in Council officially endorsed the TMX pipeline project under federal ownership. This expanded pipeline is designed to transport nearly from Alberta to British Columbia’s coastal region. The National Energy Board alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and cabinet members declared TMX aligned with the "national interest," forecasting it would generate government revenues amounting to "tens of billions of dollars" and support thousands of jobs.

Despite recognizing potential environmental risks affecting marine ecosystems, officials determined that economic advantages surpassed these concerns. Trudeau noted that an estimated $500 million in annual federal corporate tax revenue from Trans Mountain Corporation would be allocated toward "unspecified clean energy initiatives."

In communications with Trans Mountain and the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, the NEB underscored ongoing regulatory monitoring throughout TMX’s lifespan—including comprehensive route approvals—with opportunities for public commentary ensuring participation from Indigenous communities and the general public.

SCC 2020 rulings dismissing appeals against TMX

By the end of 2019, the Trans Mountain Expansion project encountered legal opposition in Canada's Federal Court of Appeal, initiated by politicians, environmental advocates, and certain Indigenous communities citing aboriginal title. Meanwhile, some Indigenous groups such as the Kehewin Cree Nation, T'Sou-ke Nation, and Frog Lake First Nation established the Western Indigenous Pipeline Group (WIPG), endorsing the initiative through equity participation. Conversely, the Coldwater Indian Band and others voiced ongoing concerns regarding historical compensation claims and potential threats to future water resources.

In February 2020, the Federal Court of Appeal rejected petitions from environmental and Indigenous parties seeking to reassess the adequacy of consultation processes. Subsequently, on March 5, 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada opted not to hear five challenges brought forth by First Nations, environmental groups, and youth activists contesting the project's authorization.

On July 2, 2020, appeals filed by the Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, Coldwater Indian Band, among others, were dismissed by the Supreme Court, thereby concluding extended judicial resistance to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

External links

Oil Across the Rockies – Documentary covering pipeline construction
The Building of Trans Mountain: Canada's First Oil Pipeline Across the Rockies – Publication detailing pipeline development