HOUSTON, TEXAS & CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Oct. 21, 2010) - Enbridge Energy Partners L.P. (NYSE:EEP) and Enbridge Income Fund (TSX:ENF.UN) affiliates of Enbridge, Inc. (collectively "Enbridge") are conducting a binding open season to provide shippers with the opportunity to make shipping commitments to the Bakken Pipeline Expansion Program, a series of projects to expand crude oil pipeline capacity in North Dakota and Saskatchewan. These proposed projects, known collectively as the "Bakken Expansion Program", will provide incremental capacity to meet the crude oil transportation needs of Williston Basin producers. As previously announced, EEP and ENF have sufficient long-term commitments from anchor shippers to allow the Bakken Expansion Program to proceed. At the request of other potential shippers, Enbridge is extending the open season to Nov. 30, 2010.
"A number of customers have requested additional time to secure the necessary approvals to enable them to make a commitment. We welcome their participation and therefore are extending the open season to accommodate their requests." said Stephen J. Wuori, President, Liquids Pipelines, Enbridge Inc.
Enbridge's proposed Bakken Expansion Program includes several separate yet complementary projects. When completed, this program will provide another 145,000 barrels per day (bpd) of incremental pipeline capacity from new receipt locations in the Bakken and Three Forks formations in North Dakota to interconnections with other existing Enbridge systems serving a broad number of refineries in North America.
Enbridge has sufficient binding commitments to proceed with the Beaver Lodge Loop Project and the Enbridge Bakken Pipeline Projects (U.S. and Canada). Through the open season, shippers will have the opportunity to secure firm capacity on these two projects as well as commit to capacity on the SORTI and Dunn Projects. Details on the projects are available on the Bakken Open Season website at http://bakken.enbridgeus.com or at www.enbridge.com.
The binding Open Season began on Aug. 26, 2010, and will now close at 5 p.m. MT Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010.
More information about the binding Open Season and the Enbridge Bakken Expansion Program is available on the Open Season website at http://bakken.enbridgeus.com or by contacting:
Kelly WilkinsEnbridge Pipelines North Dakota LLC2505 16th Street SW, Suite 200Minot, North Dakota 58701(701) 857-0840bakken.program@enbridge.comORDrew ArmstrongEnbridge Pipelines Inc.3000-425 1st Street SWCalgary, Alberta T2P 3L8403-231-3904bakken.program@enbridge.com
About Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (www.enbridgepartners.com) owns and operates a diversified portfolio of crude oil and natural gas transportation systems in the United States, including the EPND System. Its principal crude oil system is the largest transporter of growing oil production from western Canada. The system's deliveries to refining centers and connected carriers in the United States account for approximately 12 percent of total U.S. oil imports; while deliveries to Ontario, Canada satisfy approximately 60 percent of refinery demand in that region. The Partnership's natural gas gathering, treating, processing and transmission assets, which are principally located onshore in the active U.S. Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast area, deliver approximately 2.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily.
Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C. "(NYSE:EEQ)" (www.enbridgemanagement.com) manages the business and affairs of the Partnership and its sole asset is an approximate 14 percent interest in the Partnership. Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Enbridge Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, (NYSE:ENB) (TSX:ENB) (www.enbridge.com) is the general partner and holds an approximate 27 percent interest in the Partnership.
About Enbridge Income Fund
Enbridge Income Fund is an unincorporated, open-ended trust created to provide a stable and sustainable flow of distributable cash to unitholders. The Fund is a premier income fund in Canada with a low-risk profile focused on energy infrastructure assets. It owns a 50% interest in the Canadian segment of the Alliance Pipeline, a 100% interest in Enbridge Pipelines (Saskatchewan) Inc., and a 50% interest in NRGreen Power Limited Partnership, which operates electrical generation facilities using waste heat, and holds interests in three wind power projects in Western Canada. Enbridge Income Fund's trust units are listed and trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ENF.UN". Information about Enbridge Income Fund is available on the Fund's web site at www.enbridgeincomefund.com
Background Information
The Bakken Expansion Program
Enbridge's proposed Bakken Expansion Program includes several separate yet complementary projects that provide 145,000 barrels per day (bpd) of incremental pipeline capacity from new Bakken and Three Forks formation receipt locations located in North Dakota to interconnections with other existing affiliated Enbridge systems serving a broad number of refineries in North America.
The Bakken Expansion Program incorporates the 25,000 bpd capacity provided by the reactivation and reversal of the interconnected Line 26 in the U.S. and EX-02 line in Canada (the "Portal Link"), which will be available by early 2011 subject to regulatory approvals, bringing the total potential incremental capacity of the Portal reversal and the Bakken Expansion Program to 145,000 bpd by Q1 2013. Shippers will have the opportunity to subscribe for either 5-year or 10-year commitments of firm, priority access to the new 145,000 bpd of pipeline capacity on Enbridge systems operating in the Williston Basin.
Enbridge's Bakken Expansion Program includes the following projects:
1. Enbridge North Dakota Bakken Projects: -- The Beaver Lodge Loop Project: A new 12- or 16-inch diameter pipeline system with tankage and new pump stations from Enbridge Pipelines (North Dakota) LLC's ("North Dakota System") existing Beaver Lodge Station near Tioga, North Dakota, to Berthold, North Dakota, that will increase the capacity along the 45-mile segment to approximately 315,000 bpd by Q1 2013. The pipeline project will be undertaken by Enbridge Pipelines (North Dakota) LLC a subsidiary of Enbridge Energy Partners L.P. ("EEP") and will parallel the existing Enbridge North Dakota System. -- SORTI & Dunn Projects: Construction of a new 8" / 10" pipeline system owned by Enbridge Pipelines (North Dakota) LLC starting approximately 45 miles south of Beaver Lodge Station. Two new truck facilities will be constructed: both Keene Station located near Keene, North Dakota and Croff Station, located near the Dunn/McKenzie County border, will provide shippers with the opportunity to subscribe for either 5 year or 10 year commitments of firm access on the new approximately 100,000 bpd of pipeline capacity into Beaver Lodge. 2. Enbridge Bakken Pipeline Projects (U.S. and Canada): Expansion of Line 26/EX-02, including added facilities in North Dakota, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, including the following: -- Expansion of the U.S. portion of the Portal Link ("Line 26") by EEP, including construction of two new pumping stations and enhancements of the pipeline north of Berthold. Extension of the Canadian portion of the Portal Link ("Line EX-02") by Enbridge Income Fund ("ENF") with construction of a new 75-mile, 16-inch diameter pipeline from Steelman, Saskatchewan to the Enbridge terminal at Cromer, Manitoba, expected to be in-service by Q1 2013. Subject to regulatory approvals, Line EX-02 and the new extension to Cromer will be acquired and undertaken by Enbridge Bakken Pipeline Limited Partnership, a newly formed subsidiary of ENF.
These expansion projects will provide 145,000 bpd of capacity between Berthold, North Dakota, and Cromer, Manitoba and give shippers an opportunity to have long-term contracts for capacity between these two points.
For more information please contact:
Enbridge Income Fund
Jennifer Varey/Gina Jordan
Media
(403) 508-6563 or Toll-free: 1-888-992-0997
jennifer.varey@enbridge.com
or
Enbridge Income Fund
Patrick Murray
Investment Community
(403) 508-3136
patrick.murray@Enbridge.com
www.enbridgeincomefund.com
or
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.
Lorraine Grymala
Media
Toll-free: (877) 496-8142
usmedia@enbridge.com
or
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.
Douglas Montgomery
Investor Relations
Toll-free: 1-866-EEP INFO or 1-866-337-4636
eep@enbridge.com
www.enbridgepartners.com