Norman Wells Oil Pipeline
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Norman Wells Oil Pipeline, also known as Enbridge Line 21 Oil Pipeline, is an operating oil pipeline in Canada.[1][2]
Location
The pipeline originates in Norman Wells, Northwest Territories and terminates in Zama, Alberta, Canada.[3]
Project details
- Operator: Enbridge[3]
- Owner: Enbridge (100%)[4]
- Parent company: Enbridge (100%)[4]
- Capacity: 50,000 barrels per day[5]
- Length: 540 miles[6][4]
- Diameter: 12 inches[4]
- Status: Operating[3]
- Start year: 1985[5]
Background
The 12-inch-diameter pipeline traverses 870 km (540 mi) through the Northwest Territories, transporting crude oil from the Norman Wells oil field.[4][6]
The pipeline was shut down by Enbridge in November 2016 due to concerns regarding ground instability in a section located near Fort Simpson.[7][8] A proposed $53-million project involving 2.5 km of horizontal drilling under the Mackenzie River would repair the pipeline.[8] However, as of September 2017, the Enbridge website stated "there is no date set for restart of the pipeline at this time."[6]
As of late 2018, the pipeline was back in service.[9]
As of 2026, the average annual capacity was 15,000 barrels per day.[3]
Spills
In May 2011, Enbridge temporarily shut down the pipeline after approximately 4 barrels of oil leaked about 50 km (31 mi) south of Wrigley, Northwest Territories.[10] In response, the National Energy Board issued maximum pressure restrictions in 2011, and additional restrictions in March 2013, before lifting the restrictions in November 2015 after engineering assessments were conducted and corrective measures were implemented.[11]
Opposition
The Dene Tha’ First Nation in northern Alberta opposed the original construction of the pipeline in the 1980s, submitting testimony to the National Energy Board regarding the pipeline's initial application.[12]
Since being shut down in November 2016, the Liidlii Kue First Nation has opposed the proposed Norman Wells repair project, saying a full environmental review of the proposal is necessary prior to construction.[8] According to Enbridge’s Energy Infrastructure Assets report, as of June 2020, the pipeline was still shut-down for maintenance.[4]
Articles and resources
References
- ↑ Norman Wells Oil Pipeline, A Barrel Full, accessed September 2017
- ↑ Enbridge Line 21 Oil Pipeline, A Barrel Full, accessed September 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Map - Enbridge Inc". www.enbridge.com. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Enbridge’s Energy Infrastructure Assets, Enbridge, Feb, 2023
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Line 21 (Norman Wells Pipeline) - Enbridge Inc". www.enbridge.com. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Line 21 (Norman Wells Pipeline) Segment Replacement Project, Enbridge, accessed September 2017
- ↑ Enbridge shuts down Norman Wells pipeline, citing 'stability concerns' along riverbank, CBC News, 25 Nov. 2016
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Norman Wells mayor hopes for quick approval of pipeline repair, CBC News, 19 May 2017
- ↑ Government of Canada, Canada Energy Regulator (2022-04-06). "NEB – Pipeline Profiles: Enbridge Norman Wells". www.cer-rec.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
- ↑ Enbridge reports leak on Norman Wells pipeline, Reuters, 11 May 2011
- ↑ Enbridge Pipelines (NW) Inc.’s Enbridge Norman Wells Pipeline, National Energy Board, accessed September 2017
- ↑ Indigenous Voices and Resistance in Oil Pipeline History: The Dene Tha’ and the Norman Wells Pipeline, Active History, 17 Nov. 2016
