CALGARY, ALBERTA--January 8, 2002 - Enbridge Inc. today announced
a strategic alliance with Ensyn Group Inc. to facilitate the
development of Ensyn's heavy oil upgrading technology.
Ensyn has developed the use of Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP(TM))
for partial upgrading of bitumen and heavy oil at a pilot plant at
its research facility in Greely, Ontario. Ensyn currently uses
RTP(TM) in commercial biomass applications to produce chemicals,
liquid fuel and food flavoring.
"The alliance with Ensyn is consistent with our commitment to
pursue new energy technologies that have the potential for future
growth," said Stephen J. Wuori, Enbridge Group Vice President,
Planning & Development. "We believe Ensyn's RTP(TM) technology
has the potential to reduce diluent requirements for bitumen
transportation, broaden markets for bitumen and heavy oil, and
ultimately lead to additional expansion for both our mainline
system and the Athabasca Pipeline." Enbridge owns the Athabasca
Pipeline, which has the capacity to move 570,000 barrels per day
of heavy oil from the Alberta oil sands to the company's crude oil
mainline connection at Hardisty.
The alliance will facilitate the construction by Ensyn of a
demonstration plant scheduled for 2002 that could be capable of
upgrading 1,000 barrels per day. "Demonstration of a commercial
scale petroleum upgrading plant is an important next step for
Ensyn, and we now have the opportunity to install one at
Enbridge's Hardisty terminal," said Dr. Robert Graham, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Ensyn Group. "Enbridge's
contribution of this strategic location and their role as
technical advisor on transportation issues are important
contributions to the commercial development of the technology."
Ensyn Group Inc. is a U.S. corporation that produces and markets
renewable and alternative fuels and value-added products
manufactured from carbon-based feedstocks utilizing its
proprietary RTP(TM) technology. The first commercial RTP(TM)
facility was commissioned in 1989 and there are currently five
RTP(TM) facilities in commercial operation.
Enbridge Inc. is a publicly traded Canadian company and a leader
in energy transportation, distribution and services in North
America and internationally. The company operates, in Canada and
the U.S., the world's longest crude oil and liquids pipeline
system. It also owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas
distribution company serving approximately 1.5 million customers
in Ontario, Quebec and New York State. Enbridge common shares
trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada and on The New York
Stock Exchange in the U.S., under the symbol ENB. Information
about Enbridge is available on the Company's web site at
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