Enbridge Inc. declared a binding open season to solicit commitments from shippers for capacity on the proposed Southern Access Extension pipeline, to be constructed, owned, and operated by U.S. subsidiary Enbridge Pipelines (Illinois) L.L.C. (the "Carrier"). The new pipeline will transport crude oil from Pontiac, Illinois, at Enbridge's Flanagan Terminal, where it will receive crude oil from Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.'s (the Partnership) Lakehead System, to Patoka, Illinois.

The 165-mile (265-kilometer), 24-inch diameter pipeline will be constructed as a stand-alone project with an anticipated in service date of early 2015. The diameter of the pipeline could be increased, depending on the results of the Open Season. Committed shippers will be asked to commit to capacity only on the Southern Access Extension proposed pipeline and will not be required to make long-term commitments to ship on the Partnership's Lakehead System.

Enbridge has received sufficient capacity commitments from an anchor shipper to support the 24-inch pipeline as proposed. This Open Season provides an opportunity for additional shippers to support the Southern Access Extension by making volume commitments for the required term.

Tags: Enbridge Inc.