The Nipisi Pipeline will require construction of approximately 190 km of new pipeline and will initially transport 100,000 bbl/d of diluted heavy oil but is designed such that it can ultimately be expanded to a capacity of approximately 200,000 bbl/d.

The pipeline will originate north of Slave Lake and run south to Judy Creek. From there it will connect to an existing pipeline system that delivers products to the Edmonton area.

The Mitsue Pipeline will require approximately 135 km of new pipeline to be constructed, and the utilisation of approximately 120 km of existing pipelines to transport condensate from Pembina’s Whitecourt, Alberta, pump station north to the Nipisi Terminal. The pipeline is being designed to initially transport approximately 20,000 bbl/d of condensate, but will have a final capacity of 45,000 bbl/d.

Both the Nipisi and Mitsue pipelines are planned to share approximately 90 km of common trench between the proposed Mitsue pump station and the Nipisi Terminal.

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Project construction is expected to proceed immediately. Piping fabrication for the pump stations will commence later in July and the pump station construction is expected to begin in August.

Right-of-way clearing is anticipated to begin in September in preparation for pipeline construction which is planned to start in early December. All engineering, construction and procurement contracts have been awarded.

Both projects are scheduled to be placed into service in mid-2011.