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Trans Mountain oil pipeline returns to normal operating pressure

Construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline is seen under way in Kamloops, B.C., Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward) Construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline is seen under way in Kamloops, B.C., Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
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The Trans Mountain pipeline returned to normal operating pressure on Saturday, it said in a statement, after functioning at reduced pressure for over a month.

The Canadian government-owned oil pipeline, which ships 300,000 barrels a day of crude oil and refined products from Alberta to the Pacific Coast, was operating at a reduced capacity since Dec. 5 and was closed for 21 days prior to that after November's record-breaking rainstorm in British Columbia.

Trans Mountain is a key oil export route and nearly two-thirds of its volumes in the first half of 2021 were light oil deliveries heading to U.S. refineries, said IHS Market Vice President Kevin Birn, citing Canada Energy Regulator data.

A phenomenon known as an atmospheric river had dumped a month's worth of rain in two days during mid-November in the Canadian province of British Columbia, causing massive floods, landslides, and road shutdowns, prompting forced closure of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

(Reporting by Anirudh Saligrama in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh.V)

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