Internal documents obtained by CBC News reveal that the Alberta government has been examining three potential pipeline routes through northern British Columbia as part of its plan to build a major oil export pipeline to the West Coast.

The project is intended to move up to one million barrels of oil per day, with construction being targeted as early as 2027, though no final route has been selected.The documents, shared during private consultations, outline three main corridors.One begins near Fort McMurray, travelling west through Fort St.John and ending near Observatory Inlet.The other two originate near Fort Saskatchewan, northeast of Edmonton, and cross the Rocky Mountains before reaching the coast.

One route extends toward Nasoga Gulf, while another splits toward Kitimat and Prince Rupert, partially overlapping with the previously proposed Northern Gateway corridor.Additional port options include Stewart and Grassy Point, both in northern coastal B.C., alongside possible access points near Prince Rupert and other northern inlets.A southern B.C.route and a Vancouver-area port are also being considered in broader discussions.All proposed coastal locations fall within the federal oil tanker moratorium zone, raising regulatory challenges.The project is still in early consultation stages, with Alberta officials meeting more than 40 Indigenous communities and regional governments.

However, some leaders have criticized the lack of specific routing details, noting it is difficult to provide meaningful feedback without clearer plans.

Environmental and geographic challenges also remain significant, including sensitive river systems such as the Skeena and Nass, mountainous terrain, and salmon habitats.

The Alberta government aims to submit a proposal to the federal Major Projects Office by July 1, but officials acknowledge that a general corridor rather than a fixed route may be submitted, with final alignment decisions left for later stages.British Columbia’s government has reiterated its opposition to new oil pipelines through the province.