CALGARY — The Trans Mountain pipeline system is operating near full capacity and is now moving to expand how much oil it can transport, as global demand for Canadian crude continues to rise.
The federally owned pipeline, which carries oil from Alberta to British Columbia’s West Coast, is expected to be full through the spring, a milestone reached years earlier than initially projected.
The surge in demand has been driven in part by global energy disruptions, including conflict in the Middle East, which has tightened supply and increased reliance on North American sources.
Trans Mountain has launched a binding “open season” from April 7 to June 2 to secure additional long-term shipping contracts on its existing system, a move the company says reflects strong commercial interest.
Chief executive Mark Maki says customers are showing confidence in the system’s long-term value as demand for Canadian oil grows.
The pipeline, which can currently move about 890,000 barrels per day, connects Edmonton to a marine terminal in Burnaby, B.C., providing access to overseas markets, particularly in Asia.
Industry officials say countries such as China and other Asian buyers are increasingly turning to Canadian crude as global supply becomes more constrained.
With the system nearing full utilization, Trans Mountain is advancing a series of expansion and optimization projects.
A drag-reducing agent initiative is expected to increase throughput by about 90,000 barrels per day by early 2027, while a larger mainline optimization project could add roughly 210,000 barrels per day by the end of 2028.
Combined, the projects would boost total capacity to about 1.19 million barrels per day.
The company is expected to seek regulatory approval from the Canada Energy Regulator for the expanded capacity following the open season process.
The expansion plans come as Canada continues to position itself as a reliable supplier of oil to global markets, with demand shifting toward stable jurisdictions amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
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