[IPSM] Formal applications submitted to build Mackenzie/Deh Cho pipeline

[Jaggi Singh]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 11:04:45 -0500
From: Richard Menec <menec at mb.sympatico.ca>

Formal applications submitted to build pipeline
WebPosted Oct 7 2004 01:39 PM CDT


YELLOWKNIFE - Months of speculation ended Thursday morning when Imperial
Oil filed its applications to build the proposed Mackenzie Valley
pipeline.

The applications detail the $7-billion project to tap natural gas in the
Mackenzie Delta and move it 1,200 kilometres to Alberta.

The project, spearheaded by Imperial Oil, also includes the Canadian
divisions of Shell, Conoco Phillips, and ExxonMobil.

The Aboriginal Pipeline Group, representing most of the aboriginal people
of the Northwest Territories, have a one-third share of the project.

"Getting to the point where we're actually filing the application, that
is, I think, a huge step forward for us," says Fred Carmichael, who heads
the Group. "And having come through that challenge, I think we can take
anything on now."

Carmichael says the information filed Thursday will allow people to learn
about the project and take part in hearings.

The joint review panel will hold hearings sometime next year as part of
its two-year-long environmental assessment of the project.

In its news release, Imperial Oil stressed that a decision to build the
pipeline will only be made after the project receives approval from
regulators.

If a pipeline is built, gas is forecast to flow by the end of the decade.