Supply of ethane and transportation to the petrochemical industry

This presentation reviewed the existing infrastructure for ethane delivery and distribution from Alberta and assessed future potential. Large investments continue to be made to expand pipelines and petrochemical plants, at the same time, the sufficiency of ethane supplies for all projects to proceed are being questioned. Some current projects such as the Empress to Kerrobert pipeline expansion, the NCL Straddle Plant at Taylor, the PacRim LNG project, the new fractionation plant at Fort Saskatchewan, the Alliance Pipeline project to connect gas and ethane, and the impact of Alliance and PacRim on available ethane were reviewed. The competition for supplies is increasing and the export of ethane is expected to continue at low levels. Recent regulatory decisions about producers rights and upcoming challenges (NOVA load retention tolling, component balancing on NOVA, competitive hearings) were also outlined. 9 figs