Gibson Energy has approved an expansion of its Chauvin pipeline system, a project expected to increase capacity by about 50 per cent in east-central Alberta.

The Calgary-based company announced the decision Nov. 2 and expects the expansion to enter service in the first half of 2028.

The approval advances a plan Gibson outlined when it completed its $400-million purchase of the Chauvin infrastructure assets from Teine Energy in May.

At that time, the company described an expansion from effective capacity of 30,000 barrels a day to an expected 45,000 barrels a day. The assets include a crude-oil gathering system and related infrastructure connecting Chauvin with the Hardisty oil hub.

Gibson also approved a separate Hardisty Connection project in May to link the acquired infrastructure directly to its core terminal. The company said long-term agreements with Teine supported the acquisition.

The latest decision concerns additional pipeline capacity. It does not mean that the expansion is finished or operating.

Gibson attributes the project to customer interest and growing production in the Mannville area. Its expected completion date remains a forecast, with construction delays, costs and changes in demand among the risks identified by the company.

The $400-million figure relates to the earlier asset purchase, not the cost of the newly approved expansion.