By Angela Brown

Husky Energy discusses new proposed pipeline at N.B. open house

Jun 15, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Husky Energy Inc. sent representatives to North Battleford Thursday to meet with the public and discuss a new pipeline.

This was the third open house Husky has held discuss the proposed project, a new 52-kilometre long pipeline carrying blended crude oil across part of Saskatchewan. The project is funded by Husky Midstream Limited Partnership, and Husky plans to build the pipeline from a location near Lloydminster across the North Saskatchewan River to a site near Turtleford, with an expected fall start date. Before the project can go ahead, however, Husky needs to receive approval from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment.

“It’s an important project for Husky,” Spokesperson Travis Davies told battlefordsNOW. “It supports our long-term growth in the area.”

The project will also involve decommissioning the section of pipeline that resulted in the 2016 oil spill into the North Saskatchewan River. Husky Energy is currently in court in Lloydminster dealing with charges related to the spill, and the case will be back in court June 21.

Davies said Husky has considerable plans to expand in the area and wanted to alleviate any public concerns related to the 2016 incident.

ACAC bound

North Stars' Medernach talks commitment to NAIT Ooks

15h ago

Rustlers Volleyball

Crusaders' Bell excited for next chapter with Lakeland College

Apr 24, 2024

Nothing but Net

Vikings' standouts ready for national stage with Team Saskatchewan

Apr 24, 2024

“The point of these engagements was to explain what we learned from that and how we applied it to this pipeline project,” he said. “We are using better steel, more steel, thicker pipe, better technology. People have legitimate concerns and we want to be able to address those.”  

He said the new line won’t be coming down the slope on the river’s edge, and instead will run about 80 metres below the river to avoid all the active geological slopes.

“That’s one key design element that’s different,” Davies said.

A local resident who worked in the oil industry for 25 years attended the open house in North Battleford and said he is looking forward to seeing an boost in employment from the proposed project.

“I honestly think they are going to do a good job,” Rick Spratt said. “They’ve done all their programs and engineering, so I think it will be good.”

Husky Energy representatives also met with the City of North Battleford prior to the open house. Mayor Ryan Bater said he was satisfied with the details of the project, adding the location Husky selected seemed to be the most feasible and safest option available.

“It’s interesting. Part of the project will replace the section of pipeline that had failed a few years ago,” Bater said. “It will cross the river at what they believe to be a more safe location for the pipeline.” 

The mayor said the project will also provide a boost to the local economy.

“It will also increase their production capacity in North-West Saskatchewan,” he said. “That’s important to North Battleford because we see the economic benefit.”

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW