Canada’s Pipeline Transportation System 2016

Plains Midstream Canada ULC - Wascana Pipeline Line Ltd.’s Wascana Pipeline

Table 9.8.1: Plains Midstream Canada ULC – Wascana Pipeline Line Ltd.’s Wascana Pipeline
Commodity and NEB Group Crude oil, petroleum products, NGLs
(Group 2)
Average 2015 throughput 1 540 m³/d
(9.7 mb/d)
Primary receipt points Raymond Station, Sheridan County, MT
Primary delivery points Plains Terminal, Regina, SK
Abandonment Cost Estimate and Collection PeriodNote a $12.5 million;
40 years

Overview

The Wascana Pipeline (Wascana) is 172 km in length and runs from the U.S. border to the Plains Terminal in Regina, SK. At Regina, Wascana connects with the Enbridge Mainline. Wascana transports light oil from the Bakken region in North Dakota via a connection with the Bakken North Pipeline. Wascana is owned by Plains Midstream Canada ULC (PMC).

Map – Wascana Pipeline

Source: NEB

Text version of this map

This map provides an overview of the Wascana Pipeline System from the Montana-Saskatchewan border north to near Regina.

Key Developments

In October 2011 the Board issued Order SO-P384-004-2011 reducing the maximum operating pressure on Wascana until pipeline integrity concerns were addressed. After verifying that PMC fulfilled the requirements of the 2011 order, the restriction was lifted by the Board in Order SO-P384-001-2014.

Wascana was used for oil storage from 2009 to December 2011 when it was taken out of service for repairs. Repairs were completed in December 2012 and the pipeline was deactivated from January 2013 to April 2014.

In October 2012, PMC applied to the Board to reverse the flow of Wascana, enabling it to transport light crude oil from the Bakken region across the U.S.-Canadian border to the Plains Terminal in Regina, SK. The reversal was approved by the Board in May 2013 and Wascana began transporting crude oil in April 2014.

Tolls

Figure 9.8.1 shows the Wascana benchmark toll for light crude oil from the U.S. border to Regina and the GDP deflator normalized for 2010-2015. Tolls for 2014 and 2015 were $5.54 per m³ ($0.88/b) reflecting rates agreed to with shippers for the pipeline reversal. Wascana tolls are regulated on a complaint basis.

Figure 9.8.1: Wascana Benchmark Toll

Figure 9.8.1: Wascana Benchmark Toll

Source: NEB

Text version of this graphic

This graph shows the Plains Midstream (Wascana) Line benchmark toll as a solid red line and the GDP deflator as a black dashed line. In 2014 and 2015 the toll was $5.54.

Financial

Wascana’s revenue was zero for 2010-2013, while it was out of service. The pipeline reversal project added $5.6 million to Wascana’s capital base.

Table 9.8.2:Wascana Pipeline – Yearly
Wascana Pipeline 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Transportation Revenues (millions) $0 $0 $0 $0 $3.0 $3.5
Assets (millions) $3.8 $3.7 $9.2 $9.2 $9.2 $9.3
Top of Page Photos: left: A pump jack silhouetted against the setting sun; centre: The grey valves and wheels of a pump station on clear day; right: Folded hands hold a pen on a board room table in a large meeting room.
Date modified: