TransCanada, the owner of the Keystone XL pipeline, has secured enough 20-year order commitments that it is able to proceed to the next stage of the project. The orders represent a supply of 500,000 barrels per day, however, the company is still continuing to look for additional long-term supply contracts. As well as private contracts, the Alberta Government has agreed to ship 50,000 barrels of regionally produced oil per day through the pipeline, according to local press. At capacity, Keystone XL is expected to be able to transport 830,000 barrels per day.
The company said in a statement that it was working with land owners to secure the necessary easements along the approved route. Preparation for work has begun and will increase as the necessary permit process progresses in 2018. Full construction is expected to begin in 2019.
Image depicts the tar sands in Alberta, Canada and is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Dru Oja Jay, Dominion.