KAPS, Alberta’s newest 575-kilometre-long pipeline, supports Canada’s role on the global energy stage  

The KAPS pipeline system transports natural gas liquids and condensate from northwestern Alberta to Keyera’s NGL infrastructure and industry-leading condensate network in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.

Completed in the summer of 2023, the pipeline spans approximately 575km and is the largest project in Keyera’s history.

KAPS is a 50/50 joint venture with Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in essential infrastructure. Keyera is the operator of the pipeline.

Project timeline

  • 2018: Consultation, land acquisition and environmental field work begins
  • 2019-2020: Regulatory applications and permits secured
  • 2020-2021: Construction begins
  • Q2 2023: Condensate and NGL lines constructed and in service

Engagement and collaboration

  • Approximately 400 site visits with 22 Indigenous communities — including over 80 engagement meetings — to identify and mitigate concerns.
  • Nearly 600 landowners and occupants approved the pipeline route.
  • Approximately 350 route changes were made across the project based on landowner, Indigenous, and community input. Additional considerations included the environment, archaeological and cultural values, land use compatibility, safety, constructability, and economics.

Safety

  • Safety is the focus at every stage of the pipeline lifecycle. We use a defined process that includes routine inspections, testing, maintenance activity, and 24/7 remote monitoring to ensure our pipelines are operating safely.
  • We reviewed and enhanced our emergency response plans and purchased new river spill response equipment. We conducted additional training with our staff and signed agreements with external emergency response support agencies.

Environment

  • Over 180 subject matter experts, including wildlife specialists, paleontologists, water quality monitors, and drilling waste specialists were engaged. Combined, these experts worked the equivalent of 30 years to ensure environmental protection through every step of the project.
  • 27 Indigenous environmental monitors from several Indigenous communities conducted wildlife sweeps and water quality monitoring as integrated members of our environmental team.
  • Extensive environmental assessments were conducted prior to construction to understand the potential water impacts and risks. Detailed project plans were built to manage water crossings during construction.
  • Construction techniques such as deeper depth trenches beneath roads, rivers, and railways minimize environmental impact.

Indigenous businesses

  • 60 Indigenous-owned or affiliated businesses were contracted on the project.
  • Approximately $272M construction services contracts were allocated to Indigenous-owned or affiliated businesses.

Social investment

  • In celebration of KAPS, Keyera is investing a total of $300,000 with organizations across our three Keyera Connects Social Investment Pillars:
    • Environmental Innovation: Project Forest to plant trees at the Wagner Natural Area near the KAPS right-of-way.
    • Indigenous Reconciliation: Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) to support education and training for Indigenous community members with employment opportunities in the industry.
    • Community Resiliency: Inside Education to facilitate education and empowerment of youth living in communities connected to KAPS.

Building a legacy

Meet Gus Morin, an advisor from Enoch Cree Nation.

Gus Morin was one of the 17 monitors along the KAPS pipeline corridor. He was part of a two-member team that conducted wildlife sweeps and water quality monitoring. 

“The KAPS monitoring was valuable experience that contributed and led directly to my current employment as a junior Surface Water Technician at the Kearl Oil Sands mine," said Gus.  "Without KAPS reaching out to our Nation to offer these opportunities, my current employment would not have happened.” 

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