Eagle Spirit moves forward with pipeline/terminal plans; seeks guidance of NEB

Even with an oil tanker moratorium in place, Eagle Spirit Energy is moving
ahead with planning for its proposed development of an energy corridor between
Fort McMurray Alberta and Grassy Point near Lax Kw'alaamsEnergy Corridor as outlined today by Eagle Spirit Energy(click to enlarge)

A pipeline moratorium in the form of Bill C48 and a new regimen for pipeline development in the form of Bill C69, has not deterred proponents of the Eagle Spirit Pipeline project from their plans to develop an oil pipeline from Fort McMurray to Grassy Point near Lax Kw'alaams.

The latest step towards pipeline and terminal development from the energy company led by Lax Kw'alaams' Calvin Helin came by way of a request for NEB guidance when it comes to the process ahead.

The letter which was delivered to the NEB on Monday by the Eagle Spirit Energy Corridor Chiefs' Council, makes note of the provisions of Bill C-48 and highlights elements related to exemption opportunities that are of interest to the First Nations led initiative.

Bill C-48 prohibits oil tankers that are carrying more than 12,500 metric tons of crude oil or persistent oil as cargo from stopping, loading or unloading at ports or marine installations located along British Columbia's north coast, unless an exemption applies.

Eagle Spirit also is looking for guidance on how the process will work as the NEB  transitions to the Canadian Energy Regulator, seeking feedback on how that will impact the energy pipeline company's intentions to move forward.

Given that ESE is developing its Project Description during this transition, ESE requests guidance from the NEB regarding: (1) the appropriate process for submission of a Project Description under Bill C-69; and, (2) whether a Project Description may be submitted with an oil terminal proposed at Grassy Point Port, British Columbia, assuming that an exemption under Bill C-48 would be obtained (otherwise ESE will consider terminal locations in the United States). ESE respectfully requests this information to efficiently advance both its Project and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

The project plan as described for the NEB  is to develop an energy corridor to near Prince Rupert, with the first stage that of a pipeline dedicated to the shipment of partially upgraded crude oil.

As part of their correspondence, Eagle Energy makes note of the opportunity to advance reconciliation with the Indigenous Peoples of Canada.

The full text of the Eagle Spirit letter can be found here, a reproduction of the letter can be seen below.

As part of their letter to the National Energy Board, Eagle Spirit does make note of its fall back plan to develop an oil terminal near Hyder, Alaska, which would be a work around the Federal government's tanker ban.

We first made note of Eagle Spirit's Plan B for terminal development back in February of 2018, when the energy company offered up an alternative focus for their approach to the then discussion over C48

Eagle Spirit interests consider Hyder, Alaska as back up lan for oil shipment terminal

The Eagle Spirit move from Monday, word of which came out as industry officials were meeting during the Calgary Stampede is being well received by many in the Oil patch, as well as from Alberta politicians, all of whom are looking for options to move Alberta oil to global markets.

The scope of the Eagle Spirit pipeline corridor is extensive, with plans now outlined for the development of two large diameter oil pipelines, as well as two natural gas lines to tidewater at Grassy Point.

In an interview with the Calgary Herald, Mr. Helin indicated that Eagle Spirit has plans to prepare and file a complete project description with the regulator before the year comes to an end.

The clarification that the energy company receives will be put towards developing that project description, particularly as to where the oil will be shipped from whether it be near Lax Kw'alaams or Hyder.

More notes on Monday's latest notes from Eagle Spirit as well as some of the history of their plans for the pipeline and terminal projects can be found from our archive page here. 

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