Enbridge outlines new crude oil pipeline project to serve Cushing Hub

PONTIAC, Ill. - Enbridge representatives on April 23 discussed a proposed new pipeline project that would begin north of Pontiac, Ill., and terminate at the Cushing, Okla., hub beginning in 2014.

While the project is in its preliminary stages, Enbridge is holding open houses in the four states affected - Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma - to try and educate the public on the proposed 600-mile pipeline.

An Enbridge  open house was held at the Pontiac Rec Center and about 50 people had stopped in by 7 p.m., said Lorraine Little, senior manager of Enbridge public affairs.

"There has been good interest shown for the project," she said.

The proposed crude oil pipeline would run parallel to the current Spearhead pipeline for the most part, said Jerrid Anderson, project manager. About 170 miles would be in Illinois, he said.

"There would be about a 50-foot offset between the pipelines. The new line will not replace the Spearhead. They would both be operational,” he explained.

The Spearhead line has a capacity for 190,000 barrels per day (b/d), while the new pipeline would be able to carry 600,000 b/d. The new pipeline, originally conceived to use 30-inch diameter pipe, was changed to a larger 36-inch diameter pipe. The pipe would be buried four feet underground.