TransCanada intends to file an application with the National Energy Board (NEB) in November for additional pumping facilities required to expand Keystone from a nominal capacity of approximately 435,000brl/d to 590,000brl/d. Plans to expand Keystone were originally announced earlier this year following the successful completion of an open season during which an additional 155,000brl/d of firm contracts from Alberta to Oklahoma were secured. In total, Keystone has secured firm long-term contracts for a total of 495,000brl/d with an average duration of 18 years. "The support from committed shippers and ongoing expressions of interest for additional capacity clearly confirms the value of Keystone as a competitive way to link growing oilsands supply to US energy markets," says Hal Kvisle, TransCanada president and chief executive officer. "We remain committed to ensuring that timely new oil pipeline capacity is available to meet industry needs." The 3,456-km pipeline will transport crude oil from Hardisty, Alberta, to US Midwest markets at Wood River and Patoka, Illinois and to Cushing, Oklahoma. The Canadian portion of the project involves the conversion of approximately 864km of existing Canadian mainline pipeline facilities from natural gas to crude oil transmission service and construction of approximately 373km of pipeline, pump stations and terminal facilities at Hardisty, Alberta. The US portion of the project includes construction of approximately 2,219km of pipeline and pump stations. The new pipeline will be 30in in diameter to Illinois, and 36in from the Nebraska/Kansas border to Cushing, Oklahoma. It is expected that, on start-up in late 2009, Keystone will be capable of delivering 435,000brl/d to Wood River and Patoka, Illinois, which will be increased to 590,000brl/d with the extension to Cushing, Oklahoma in late 2010. Keystone has received NEB approval for two major regulatory applications this year to construct and operate the Canadian portion of the project. Applications for U.S. regulatory approvals at federal and state levels are proceeding.