Trans Mountain Pushed to Alter Limits to Boost Oil’s Value
- Drillers say acid, vapor pressure rules may cut off markets
- Companies already had been pushing back against line’s tolls
The Burnaby Terminal at the end point of the Trans Mountain Pipeline System.
Photographer: James MacDonald/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Oil companies including Chevron Corp., Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and Suncor Energy Inc. are pressing the operators of the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline to change certain key specifications to improve the value of the crude the conduit is carrying.
The drillers are asking Trans Mountain to lower the vapor pressure and acid levels of the crude it will allow to pass through the line, saying that the current limits are reducing the value of the oil that’s shipped and restricting where it can be refined. Trans Mountain, which is owned by the Canadian government, didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.