WESTLOCK – After being delayed last April, construction on the $1.6 billion KAPS natural gas liquid pipeline has resumed, with crews working around the Pickardville area. The pipeline will run from Grande Prairie to Fort Saskatchewan and travels through Westlock County’s southern border.
The natural gas and condensate will come from Keyera's Montney and Duvernay gathering and processing plants and travel to Keyera’s liquid's hub in Fort Saskatchewan.
The pipeline, owned by Keyera Corp., consists of a 16-inch pipeline for condensate and a 12-inch pipeline for natural gas liquid mix, is currently creating 350 construction jobs in Westlock County, but is projected to create more than 2,000 in Alberta as work progresses with an expected completion date in 2023.
“It’s going to be an opportunity to really make a difference for Westlock County and the province as a whole,” said Kristen Bell, communications manager with Keyera Corp.
Bell says that the pipeline will provide a $18 million boost to Alberta’s GDP while generating $615 million in labour income as well as over $200 million expected in taxes over the first two decades of operation.
“Being an Alberta-based business, we’re looking at how we can provide long-term resiliency and sustainability and we really think that KAPS is going to be a big player in helping support Alberta’s economic engines and drive prosperity for the province,” said Bell.
Planning for KAPS first began in 2018 when the pipelines route was laid out. Landowners and stakeholders were consulted before construction began and the route was altered according to any concerns raised following consultation resulting in the pipeline running through Westlock County after initially being planned to run through the Morinville area.
Bell says that so far, the pipeline has received support from communities and landowners, noting that some residents have been taken the opportunity to thank Keyera for the way it's approached the project.
“That’s always a good thing to know. We’re working with our community members and being well received. It’s a collaborative effort and it’s rare to get those thank yous so it’s really nice to hear that.”
