Canada’s top natural gas users, Alberta oilsands producers, are challenging toll hikes sought by the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion (TMX) to cover construction cost increases to complete the project.

Since 2017, the construction surcharge has jumped by $3.84/bbl to $4.86, according to filings by 14 industry participants with the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). TMX applied for toll approval earlier this month.

The billing for construction cost inflation alone is more than double the price of natural gas bought as oilsands plant fuel in Alberta, which currently trades on the NGX Exchange at around $1.58-1.97/MMBtu.

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