The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is inviting public comments on a petition from Enbridge Inc. The company has requested the FTC to reopen and nullify a 2017 consent order related to its merger with Spectra Energy Corp.

In 2017, the FTC issued an order settling charges that Enbridge's proposed merger with Spectra could potentially harm competition in the pipeline transportation market for natural gas off Louisiana's coast. The complaint suggested that the merger might reduce competition within the Green Canyon, Walker Ridge, and Keathley Canyon areas of the Gulf of Mexico. This was due to Enbridge acquiring an indirect ownership interest in the Discovery pipeline, which competes with Enbridge’s Walker Ridge pipeline.

According to the final consent order, Enbridge had to establish firewalls limiting access to non-public information about Discovery. Additionally, board members from Spectra-affiliated companies holding a 40% share in Discovery were required to recuse themselves from voting on matters involving this pipeline.

Enbridge now argues that since it exited its partnership related to Discovery in 2024, it no longer holds any indirect ownership or access to sensitive information about Discovery. Therefore, it requests that the FTC reopens and sets aside the previous order.

The FTC plans to publish Enbridge's application in the Federal Register soon. Instructions for submitting comments will be included in this notice. Comments are expected within 30 days following publication and will be available on Regulations.gov after processing. Afterward, the Commission will decide whether to approve or deny the application.

The FTC aims to promote competition while protecting and educating consumers. It advises against any demands for money or promises of prizes as part of its outreach efforts. For more details on consumer benefits from competition or filing antitrust complaints, follow their updates through social media channels or blog posts.