Enbridge Pipeline System
The Lakehead Pipeline, also known as the Lakehead System, is one of the largest oil pipeline systems in the world, totaling 3,100 miles (4,990 km) in length including multiple paths. 1,880 miles (3,025 km) of the system is in the United States while the rest is in Canada. On average, it delivers 1.4 million barrels (222,582 m³) of crude oil and other products each day. The Canadian portion is owned by Enbridge, while the U.S. portion is owned by the Enbridge Energy Partners, formerly known as Lakehead Pipeline Company, which is partly owned by the Canadian company.
The first portion of the pipeline was built over the course of 150 days in 1950 by a 1,500-man labor force. It crossed approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from Redwater, Alberta, through Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Dakota, and Minnesota, to the Great Lakes seaport of Superior, Wisconsin. At the same time, four oil tankers were constructed to carry the crude from Superior to oil refineries in Sarnia, Ontario. Oil first entered the pipe on August 25, 1950, and the first tanker, the Imperial LeDuc, was launched on November 4. The other tankers that followed were the Imperial Redwater, Imperial Woodbend, and B.A. Peerless.
Because the lakes froze in the winter, preventing tanker traffic, the decision was soon made to expand the pipeline all the way to Sarnia. In May 1953, contracts were awarded and construction began. At 1,765 miles (2,840 km), it became the world's longest pipeline. A major upgrade was undertaken in the 1990s to replace old pipe and expand the system.
Today, there are two routes that oil can take between Superior and Sarnia. A northern route passes through the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan before crossing into Ontario, while the southern route circles south of Lake Michigan through Illinois and Indiana before reaching Michigan.
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References
- Patrick Lapinski (Spring 2005). The Port's Past: Not Your Classic Mix. Duluth Seaway Port Authority magazine.