abarrelfull wrote on 15 Feb 2011 13:52
Tags: bakken canada enbridge pipeline usa
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Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:EEP) ("EEP") and Enbridge Income Fund Holdings Inc. (TSX:ENF) ("EIFH"), announced today that additional shippers have finalized capacity commitments to the Bakken Expansion Program under the terms of the open season process. The expansion program is being undertaken on the Enbridge North Dakota System owned by EEP, and the Enbridge Saskatchewan System, owned by the Enbridge Income Fund (“EIF”). The total cost of the program is expected to be $560 million.
The added capacity from this expansion will be 145,000 bpd, of which 25,000 bpd will be available by early 2011 following completion of the Portal Reversal Expansion Project, and the remaining 120,000 bpd by late 2012. Under the applicable regulatory arrangements a maximum of 115,000 bpd can be held by committed shippers and at least 30,000 bpd must be reserved for uncommitted volumes.
Anchor shippers had, by August 24, 2010, made sufficient capacity commitments to enable the expansion to proceed, which was announced on that date. An open season was commenced on August 26, 2010 to permit other shippers to subscribe for committed capacity on the same terms as the anchor shippers. Additional shippers have now executed capacity commitments under terms of the open season, the majority of which are for a term of 10 years. The combined commitments of anchor shippers and the additional shippers aggregate 100,000 bpd, leaving 15,000 bpd available for additional uncommitted volumes or subsequent committed capacity offerings.
“The Bakken and Three Forks formations represent an area of tremendous opportunity for both Enbridge Energy Partners and Enbridge Income Fund,” said Stephen J. Wuori, President, Liquids Pipelines, Enbridge Inc. “Based on current activity and growth plans we anticipate that additional pipeline capacity beyond this initial Bakken Expansion Program will soon be required by producers. The ultimate expansion capacity of this program is up to 325,000 bpd with modifications and additional facilities. We will continue to work with shippers to ensure additional capacity is made available when they require it.”
Enbridge’s Bakken Expansion Program will involve U.S. projects which will be undertaken by EEP at a cost of approximately US$370 million; and Canadian projects which will be undertaken by EIF at a cost of approximately Cdn $190 million. The expansion program will originate at Beaver Lodge, North Dakota, in the heart of the Bakken, and will follow existing EEP and EIF rights of way to terminate at and deliver to the Enbridge mainline terminal at Cromer, Manitoba. Once on the Enbridge mainline, Bakken production will have access to the multiple markets accessible from the mainline and connected pipeline systems.
Enbridge Inc. (TSX, NYSE: ENB) has an approximate 25.5% ownership interest in EEP, and a 72% economic interest in EIFH held both directly and indirectly through ENF. Enbridge manages the day-to-day operations of, and develops and assesses opportunities for each of these investments, including both organic growth and acquisition opportunities.
About Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (www.enbridgepartners.com) owns and operates a diversified portfolio of crude oil and natural gas transportation systems in the United States, including the EPND System. Its principal crude oil system is the largest transporter of growing oil production from western Canada. The system's deliveries to refining centers and connected carriers in the United States account for approximately 13 percent of total U.S. oil imports; while deliveries to Ontario, Canada satisfy approximately 70 percent of refinery demand in that region. The Partnership's natural gas gathering, treating, processing and transmission assets, which are principally located onshore in the active U.S. Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast area, deliver approximately 3 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily.
Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C. (www.enbridgemanagement.com) manages the business and affairs of the Partnership and its sole asset is an approximate 14 percent interest in the Partnership.
About Enbridge Income Fund Holdings Inc.
Enbridge Income Fund Holdings Inc. is a publicly traded corporation. The Company holds an investment in Enbridge Income Fund, a premier income fund in Canada with a low-risk profile focused on energy infrastructure assets. The Fund’s assets include a 50% interest in the Canadian segment of the Alliance Pipeline, a 100% interest in the various pipelines comprising the Saskatchewan System and a 50% interest in each of NRGreen Limited Partnership and the Sunbridge wind project, as well as a 33% interest in each of the Magrath and Chin Chute wind projects. Information about Enbridge Income Fund Holdings Inc. is available on the Company’s web site at www.enbridgeincomefund.com.