TC Energy Spin-off South Bow’s 450,000 bpd Prairie Connector Open Season Could Boost Exports 12%
South Bow Corp, spun out of TC Energy in 2024, has launched an open season for its 450,000 bpd Prairie Connector pipeline, which could boost Canadian crude exports by 12%. The project revives parts of the canceled Keystone XL route and aims to link Hardisty to Gulf Coast/Cushing hubs.
1. Spin-Off and Revival
TC Energy spun out its oil pipeline assets into South Bow Corp in 2024, enabling the new firm to focus on reviving the Keystone XL pipeline through the Prairie Connector project.
2. Open Season Launch
South Bow launched an open season for Prairie Connector on March 5, running through March 30, to gauge shipper commitments ahead of final investment decisions.
3. Pipeline Capacity and Route
The plan calls for a 450,000 barrel-per-day line from Hardisty, Alberta, through Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska to delivery hubs at Cushing, Oklahoma, and the US Gulf Coast.
4. Export Impact and Regulatory Requirements
If fully supported, the pipeline could boost Canadian crude exports by 12%, but it requires a presidential permit and resurveyed land agreements across the original Keystone XL corridor.