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Canada’s Trans Mountain hits full capacity, set to add export space to Asia

The pipeline is currently moving 890,000 barrels per day to British Columbia, and the operator plans expansions that could lift capacity to about 1.19 million bpd by the end of 2028.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Energy

Canada’s Trans Mountain pipeline reached full capacity for the first time in June, signaling a shift toward exporting more crude to Asia, where two-thirds of tankers leaving the Westridge Marine Terminal are already heading, according to reporting cited by OilPrice. Trans Mountain currently moves about 890,000 barrels per day from Alberta to British Columbia. Its operator plans to add 90,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter, followed by another 210,000 barrels per day by the end of 2028, bringing total capacity to roughly 1.19 million bpd. OilPrice also cited Trans Mountain CEO Mark Maki saying China is the largest customer, with India, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam expected to buy more Canadian crude, and with Thailand a possible next market. The article notes that Canadian heavy crude is well suited to the complex refinery setups common across Asia. OilPrice links the growing interest in Canadian barrels to additional geopolitical risk in the region, adding that crude loaded in British Columbia does not need to transit the Strait of Hormuz. With Canadian output this year expected to exceed last year’s record of 5.3 million bpd, the pipeline’s added space is expected to help absorb production that previously flowed mainly to the United States, the article says.

Latest closeWTI crude $90.70 ▲0.5%

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