The Trans Mountain pipeline is Canada’s only pipeline system transporting oil from Alberta to the West Coast. The pipeline was established in 1953 to create a reliable energy supply for Canada and the United States. Since then its capacity has been increased by twinning parts of the line and adding associated facilities so that it currently carries approximately 300,000 barrels per day. The ambitious Trans Mountain Pipeline System Expansion project will see this critical infrastructure asset significantly expanded again, providing long term energy security for Canada and North America. On completion, the new expanded pipeline system will have 980km of new pipeline, with 12 new pump stations and the capacity to deliver 890,000 barrels per day.  

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OTB were employed by Bothar Tunnelling to undertake the design of two launch shafts and three reception shafts to enable the installation of 4.2km of pipe jacked tunnel. A grouted steel pipeline was then installed within the completed pipe jacked tunnel. The shafts ranged in size from 9m ID to 12m ID reaching depths of the up to 30m below surface level. The shafts were installed through glacial tills and Igneous bedrock.