Canada Approves Enbridge's $3 Billion Westcoast Gas-Pipeline Expansion — Update

By Paul Vieira

OTTAWA--Canada approved on Friday Enbridge's proposed multibillion-dollar expansion of a west-coast natural gas pipeline system, a decision the government and the company say will bolster the country's efforts to increase exports to markets other than the U.S.

In response to President Trump's protectionist trade policy, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has made it a priority to accelerate the construction of trade corridors and approve resource projects to position the country as an energy superpower. Carney has argued this will help Canada reduce its dependence on trade with the U.S. to drive growth.

Enbridge's Westcoast Energy affiliate operates a transmission system that transports processed natural gas to customers in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, and to customers in the Pacific Northwest.

Canadian Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said Enbridge's expansion of the Westcoast system, at an estimated cost of nearly $3 billion, would meet growing energy needs by providing up to 300 million cubic feet per day of additional transportation capacity. Enbridge's expansion project envisages adding about 90 miles of new pipeline that connects to the main corridor.

Hodgson said the project supports Canada's trade diversification strategy because the expansion will strengthen Canada's ability to meet natural gas demand from Asian markets.

"Our commitment to Canadians was to get projects approved and built--and with today's approval of [Enbridge's plan], we're doing just that," Hodgson said.

Enbridge said that once in service, in late 2028, the added capacity should strengthen energy security and affordability by increasing access to natural gas during periods of peak demand.

The expansion "is a shovel-ready, critical natural-gas infrastructure project that supports the advancement of Canada's energy superpower ambitions," said Greg Ebel, Enbridge's chief executive.

Write to Paul Vieira at paul.vieira@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 24, 2026 09:06 ET (13:06 GMT)