The Alberta government is considering three pipeline routes through northern British Columbia to anchor a new major oil export project, according to confidential documents obtained by CBC News.

The proposal aims to transport 1 million barrels of oil per day to the West Coast, with construction slated to begin as early as 2027.

The leaked documents, shared privately with local leaders this spring, offer the first detailed look at potential paths and port locations for the multi-billion-dollar project.

One proposed route starts near Fort McMurray and heads west to Fort St. John before terminating near Observatory Inlet.

Two other routes begin northeast of Edmonton near Fort Saskatchewan, traversing the Rocky Mountains to reach coastal destinations.

One ends at Nasoga Gulf, while the other splits to connect with Kitimat and Prince Rupert, largely mirroring the path of Enbridge’s cancelled Northern Gateway project. The documents also highlight alternative ports near Stewart and Grassy Point.

A fourth potential route through southern British Columbia toward the Vancouver area remains under exploration.

All proposed northern ports sit within Canada’s federal oil tanker moratorium zone, posing immediate regulatory hurdles, with experts also warning of possible severe environmental and engineering challenges.

Grant Sprague, Alberta's former deputy minister for energy, noted the routes must cross difficult mountain terrain and vital salmon habitats along the Nass or Skeena rivers. Sprague called the 2027 construction timeline "wildly ambitious."

Politically, the routes favor communities with existing pipeline support rather than the cheapest geographic paths. "This is a strategic route for political reasons, not for economic reasons," said Heather Exner-Pirot, a special advisor to the Business Council of Canada.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith intends to submit the proposal to the federal Major Projects Office by July 1 to secure a "nation-building" designation.

However, B.C. Premier David Eby remains firmly opposed, complicating interstate cooperation.

Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney stated no final route has been chosen, emphasising that current efforts focus on technical costs and building Indigenous partnerships.

The report comes months after Alberta Premier hinted at submitting a proposal for a major oil pipeline project terminating off the coast of B.C.