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Liquids Business

Lakehead System Expansion Nearing Completion

We continued to make great progress in 2009 on our Lakehead System expansion, with critical milestones met and project completion goals on course for 2010 in-service dates.

Stacks of pipe await being hauled to the Alberta Clipper construction route. This pipeyard, located in Carlton, Minn., holds enough pipe joints to cover more than 60 miles.

Stacks of pipe await being hauled to the Alberta Clipper construction route. This pipeyard, located in Carlton, Minn., holds enough pipe joints to cover more than 60 miles.

Southern Access

We completed Stage 2 of our Southern Access expansion project—a 42-inch diameter pipeline—in 2009. The entire Southern Access Expansion project spans 454 miles from Superior, Wis., to Flanagan, Ill. In 2009, we completed the remaining 133 miles of the project, from Delevan, Wis., to Flanagan, Ill., and placed that line into service on April 1. The entire Southern Access Expansion project has increased capacity on the Lakehead System by 400,000 Bpd and also increased revenues with a related transportation rate surcharge that went into effect when the line was placed into service.

The capacity of Southern Access pipeline can be increased to 1.2 million Bpd through additional pumping stations to accommodate future deliveries via the Alberta Clipper pipeline.

Alberta Clipper

On August 20, 2009, we received our final permits to allow construction to commence on the United States portion of the Alberta Clipper project. Just as the U.S. portion of the build was beginning, Enbridge Inc. was wrapping up construction on the 670-mile Canadian segment. In total, Alberta Clipper is a 1,000-mile, 36-inch diameter pipeline project, which, when completed, will transport heavy crude oil from Hardisty, Alberta, to Superior. The approximately 330-mile U.S. segment of this new pipeline—from the international border near Neche, N.D., to Superior—costs an estimated $1.3 billion and is being jointly funded by us and our general partner.

The Alberta Clipper is expected to be placed in service in early April 2010 and will have an initial capacity of 450,000 Bpd, expandable to 800,000 Bpd with additional pumping stations.