Vector Began Operations Dec. 1

Vector Pipeline began operations after the successful construction of the pipeline and start of transportation service on its new natural gas pipeline system.

Vector Pipeline was first proposed in June 1997, and in September 1999 the current partnership of Enbridge Inc., Westcoast Energy, Inc. and MCN Energy Group Inc. was announced.

A total of 458 kilometres of new 42-inch pipeline was constructed connecting to 94 kilometres of existing 36-inch pipe leased line in Michigan. The new pipeline crosses some 1,900 tracts of land acquired by Vector in the U.S. and Canada.

Throughout the past three years, Vector representatives have worked with nearly 70 local, state, federal and provincial agencies to acquire the necessary permits. Despite the extended wet weather that resulted in a slightly delayed startup, restoration and cleanup work is proceeding quite well and will continue through next year to meet permits and landowner agreements.

On Nov. 17, both the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Canadian National Energy Board , lead federal agencies for the project, granted authority for Vector to begin operations, subject to continuing compliance with restoration requirements and all applicable terms and conditions of the respective permits.

As previously announced, Vector's headquarters' office has been established in Livonia, Michigan, near Detroit, Michigan.

Enbridge (U.S.) Inc. and Enbridge Pipelines Inc. , subsidiaries of Enbridge Inc. of Calgary, will be the lead operators of Vector, providing all field services in the U.S. except for the 59 miles of leased facilities in Michigan as well as gas control, nominations and administrative services.

MichCon will provide the field services for the leased line in Michigan and Union Gas Limited will provide field services for the Canadian segment of Vector.

Initial long-haul capacity during the first year of operation to Dawn, Ontario, will be 700 mmcf per day rising to approximately one bcf per day following completion of the Highland compressor station in Michigan by the fall of 2001. In addition, 200 mmcf a day of short-haul service into Indiana will be initiated in March 2001, following completion of the required interconnecting facilities. The system can be cost-effectively expanded to 1.5 bcf per day.

Vector Pipeline is designed to transport Western Canadian and U.S. sourced natural gas from interconnects with Alliance, Northern Border and other pipelines at the market hub in Chicago, Illinois, to the hub at Dawn, Ontario, also providing access to markets and storage in the U.S. Upper Midwest.

Vector presents a competitive additional supply source at Dawn and can serve key markets in the Ontario, Quebec, and Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States.

The Vector Pipeline is a partnership of Calgary-based Enbridge, with a 45% interest; Westcoast Energy of Vancouver, British Columbia, with a 30% interest; and Detroit-based MCN Energy Group with a 25% interest.