Groundbirch Mainline Loop (Saturn Section) and Saddle Hills Compressor Station C4 Unit Addition Project

Overview

The Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) is one of North America’s most prolific natural gas production basins, and it is of key importance to the Canadian economy. Given the pace of production of natural gas in Alberta and British Columbia (B.C), the most important issue for WCSB producers is getting their product to market.

Natural gas producers requested an increase for natural gas transportation service on the existing 24,386-km NGTL System, which transports natural gas, safely, efficiently and reliably every day.

To address this need, the Groundbirch Mainline Project increased service for our customers by constructing the Groundbirch Mainline Loop (Saturn Section) pipeline addition and the Saddle Hills Compressor Station (CS) C4 Unit Addition.

Groundbirch Mainline Loop (Saturn Section)

The Groundbirch Mainline Loop (Saturn Section), located in B.C.’s Peace River Regional District, went into service in December 2023.

The section included construction of approximately 23 km of 42-inch diameter pipeline close to an existing NGTL pipeline from the existing Saturn No. 2 Receipt Meter Station, approximately 32 km southwest of Fort St. John, B.C., to a future valve site approximately 36 km west of Dawson Creek.

Saddle Hills Compressor Station C4 Unit Addition

The Saddle Hills Compressor Station C4 Unit Addition went in service in April 2024.

The Saddle Hills CS C4 Unit Addition included a 30-megawatt (MW) compressor unit, located in Saddle Hills County, adjacent to our existing Saddle Hills Compressor Station, approximately 41 km west of Spirit River, Alta.

Project schedule

Groundbirch Mainline Loop (Saturn Section) and the Saddle Hills CS are part of the NGTL System, which is regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER).