Construction starts July 2026, with late-2028 in-service target; project adds 300 MMcf/d to Westcoast system capacity
Briefing
LNG Canada Phase 1 construction neared completion at Kitimat, creating urgent demand for additional Westcoast pipeline takeaway. The lack of firm transport capacity was the primary constraint preventing upstream B.C. gas production from scaling to fill export volumes, establishing the commercial rationale the Sunrise Expansion now addresses.
Trans Mountain and Coastal GasLink faced prolonged federal approval delays under impact assessment requirements, demonstrating that Canadian pipeline approvals carry significant timeline and political risk. Sunrise's approval removes the analogous regulatory overhang for Enbridge's Westcoast system expansion.
Financial Times19 hours ago