Alberta signs oil and gas deal with Calgary’s Enbridge

The Alberta government announced the details of a deal with pipeline and energy company Enbridge in an effort to expand the province’s oil production.

Premier Danielle Smith was joined by Enbridge Inc. CEO Greg Ebel on Monday afternoon to share the two parties have signed a letter of intent to accelerate growth opportunities to double the production of oil and gas to play a greater role in North American energy security.

Smith says the added capacity is critical to Alberta and its trading partners, especially the United States.

“It’s the perfect time to be doing this,” said Smith. “I think with the change in administration in the U.S….one of our tasks in Alberta is to make them understand, for them to achieve global energy dominance, they need a partner to help them ensure they have product for their own people.”

The government says the partnership is aimed at working with industry on opportunities for growth and increased investment in Alberta’s oil and gas transport storage networks, including evaluating opportunities across Enbridge’s 29,000 kilometre network.

Monday’s announcement from the province was overshadowed by the news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepping down. Smith reacted on social media with some harsh words for Trudeau’s decision to prorogue Parliament.

Smith says she hopes the next prime minster will be someone who supports Alberta, removes the carbon tax and the emission tax and stays “in their own lane.”

“I’m looking forward to the next prime minister being somebody who will support our aspirations,” she says. “That’s my wishlist.”