The Trans Mountain fiasco
A recent decision by Canada’s energy regulator will see the pipeline’s expansion project avoid yet more additional costs, but it remains blighted by poor economics
Calgary-based Trans Mountain Corp. (TMC) received a rare bit of good news for its troubled Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) oil pipeline project when the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) ruled in its favour on a re-routing dispute with a British Columbia First Nation in late September. Had the CER not agreed to a minor modification to TMX’s pipeline route in Indigenous territory, it would have added C$86m ($63m) in construction costs to its already bloated budget and pushed the in-service date back yet another nine months, to December 2024. Each month the in-service date is delayed leads to “roughly $200m in lost revenues and roughly $190m in carrying charges”, TMC said in its filing to the regul
Also in this section
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security
24 April 2026
The European Commission’s response to the Middle East crisis is to double down on its transition strategy, with plans for a new target on electrification
24 April 2026
A major new discovery by Eni and BP that can likely be fast-tracked to production is welcome news for Egypt as it scrambles to plug a widening supply gap and deal with rising import risks
24 April 2026
Countries in the region are turning to the cleaner-burning fuel for power generation, driving demand for imports






