February 18, 2005

Ultramar plans $200M Quebec to Montreal pipeline

MONTREAL

Oil company Ultramar Ltd. says it has plans to build a $200-million pipeline from its refinery near Quebec City to its distribution terminal in Montreal.

The company said it will submit its proposal for ap- proval from municipal, pro- vincial and federal authorities for the pipeline it said would create 2,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction period.

Ultramar also has to get the approval of residents who live within the possible corridors. The previously floated idea has already raised concerns among residents along the proposed pipeline route on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River.

Currently, the refinery’s products like gasoline are transported to Montreal by Canadian National Railway, as well as by ships and trucks.

If the project gets required approvals, construction of the 250-km pipeline could start in late summer 2007 and come on stream at the end of 2008, the company said.

Ultramar president Jean Bernier said higher demand over the last few years and a projected increase in the near future translate into larger volumes between its refinery in Levis, near Quebec City, and the Montreal East terminal.

The Canadian Press

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