History

Pipelines in Canada

In 1853, the first pipeline in Canada was built to bring natural gas to Trois Rivières, Quebec, 25 kilometres long and made of cast iron. Nine years later, an oil pipeline was constructed between Petrolia, Ontario and Sarnia, Ontario (CEPA, n.d.).

In the ensuing years, pipeline production expanded as the market for fossil fuel energy technologies grew. In 1947, three pipelines were bringing oil to consumers (CEPA, n.d.). As of this year, Canada has over 100 000 km of pipelines transporting oil and gas across its expanse (World Factbook, 2013). Visit here for an interactive map of natural gas and liquid petroleum pipelines in Canada (and North America).

The Toronto Context

Toronto’s most famous oil pipeline is undoubtedly Enbridge’s Line 9 – this is due to current controversy over a proposal to reverse the flow of oil, increase the amount of oil transported, and open up the possibility of transporting diluted bitumen from the Alberta oil sands, as opposed to light crude oil.

With all the media attention currently on Line 9, it is unknown to many that five other oil and gas pipelines flow along the same path through the north end of the City of Toronto, along the Richview-Cherry Corridor (Toronto Transit Commission, 2006). Information about these pipelines is difficult to locate, but we were able to find out the following:

Sarnia Products Pipelines: These two pipelines are 250mm and 300 mm in diameter (Toronto Transit Commission, 2006). This system is used to ship products from Sarnia to St. George and Toronto (EcoResources Consultants).

Trans-Northern Pipeline: Constructed in 1952, this pipeline carries various substances, including gasoline, diesel, aviation, and heating fuels (Schliesmann, 2013). It runs west from Montreal to Toronto, and in both directions between Toronto and Oakville (National Energy Board, 2008).

Sun-Canadian Pipelines: Built in 1953, these two pipelines (200mm and 300mm in diameter) run refined petroleum products from Sarnia to Toronto (Sun Canadian Pipe Line, 2005).

We were also able to find information on one other pipeline within Toronto:

TransCanada Pipeline: The longest in Canada, this natural gas pipeline carries products across the country and into the United States. It was completed in 1958, and has three main sections in Canada. The Canadian Mainline “extends from the Alberta/Saskatchewan border east to the Québec/Vermont border and connects with other natural gas pipelines in Canada and the U.S.,” (TransCanada PipeLines Limited, 2013) running through Toronto on its route.

This data was not easy to find, and made clear by the references below, it came from a variety of sources. This speaks to the need for greater transparency on the part of the oil and gas companies, so that people better understand the infrastructure of their city and the potential risks it brings.

References:
Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA). (n.d.). History of Pipelines. Retrieved from http://www.cepa.com/about-pipelines/history-of-pipelines
EcoResources Consultants. (2009). Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Proposed Regulations to Require Renewable Fuels Content in Canadian Fuels- the 2% Requirement. Retrieved from http://canadianfuels.ca/userfiles/file/Final%20Report%20Renewable%20Fuels%20-%205%25(1).pdf
National Energy Board. (2008). Canadian Pipeline Transportation System: Transportation Assessment. Retrieved from http://www.neb.gc.ca/clf-nsi/rnrgynfmtn/nrgyrprt/trnsprttn/trnsprttnssssmnt2008/trnsprttnssssmnt2008-eng.pdf
Schliesmann, P. (2013, September 14). Part 6: The lesser-known pipeline. Kingston Whig-Standard. Retrieved from http://www.thewhig.com/2013/09/12/part-6-the-lesser-known-pipeline
Sun Canadian Pipe Line. (2005). About Us. Retrieved from http://www.sun-canadian.com/aboutus.htm
Toronto Transit Commission. (2006) Spadina Subway Extension – Downsview Station to Steeles Avenue Environmental Assessment. Retrieved from http://www.vivanext.com/files/EnvironmentalAssessments/SpadinaExtension/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf
TransCanada PipeLines Limited. (2013). Natural Gas. Retrieved from http://www.transcanada.com/natural-gas-pipelines.html#CM
World Factbook. (2013). Pipelines. Retreived from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2117.html