Norman Wells Oil Pipeline

This article is part of the Global Fossil Infrastructure Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor and the Center for Media and Democracy.

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Norman Wells Oil Pipeline, also known as Line 21, is an oil pipeline in Canada. It transports crude oil from the Norman Wells oil field in the Northwest Territories to Alberta, from where the crude oil is transported to Edmonton, Alberta through another pipeline.

The pipeline has been shut down since November 2016 due to concerns over ground stability at a section of the pipeline that crosses the Mackenzie River.

Location

The pipeline originates in Norman Wells, Northwest Territories and terminates in Zama, Alberta.

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Project Details

• Operator: Enbridge
• Current capacity: 50,000 barrels per day
• Length: 540 miles (870 km)
• Status: Operating
• Start Year: 1985

Background

The 12-inch-diameter pipeline traverses 750 km (466 mi) through the Northwest Territories.

The pipeline was shut down by Enbridge in November 2016 due to concerns regarding ground instability in a section located near Fort Simpson. A proposed $53-million project involving 2.5 km of horizontal drilling under the Mackenzie River would repair the pipeline. However, as of September 2017, the Enbridge website states "there is no date set for restart of the pipeline at this time."

Spills

In May 2011, Enbridge temporarily shut down the pipeline after approximately 4 barrels of oil leaked about 50 km (31 mi) south of Wrigley, Northwest Territories. In response, the National Energy Board issued maximum pressure restrictions in 2011, and additional restrictions in March 2013, before lifting the restrictions in November 2015 after engineering assessments were conducted and corrective measures were implemented.

Opposition

The Dene Tha’ First Nation in northern Alberta opposed the original construction of the pipeline in the 1980s, submitting testimony to the National Energy Board regarding the pipeline's initial application.

Since being shut down in November 2016, the Liidlii Kue First Nation has opposed the proposed Norman Wells repair project, saying a full environmental review of the proposal is necessary prior to construction.