The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gave approval to Enbridge Inc.'s request to revisit and nullify the FTC's 2017 final consent order related to Enbridge’s merger with Spectra Energy Corp. This decision was based on the FTC's conclusion that the order's requirements have become unnecessary since Enbridge no longer possesses any ownership interest in the rival Discovery Pipeline.
Through the acquisition of Spectra, Enbridge originally acquired an indirect stake in the Discovery Pipeline, which competes with Enbridge's own Walker Ridge Pipeline. The FTC had initially expressed concerns that the acquisition would allow Enbridge access to sensitive information about the Discovery Pipeline, potentially leading to anticompetitive behavior that could diminish the pipeline's competitive edge or encourage industry collusion.
The 2017 order settled allegations that the merger between Enbridge and Spectra would negatively impact competition in the Gulf of America's natural gas pipeline market. According to the order, Enbridge had to implement firewalls to limit its access to confidential information regarding the Discovery Pipeline. Additionally, board members from Spectra-affiliated companies holding a 40 percent share in the Discovery Pipeline were largely required to abstain from voting on matters related to the pipeline, except under limited circumstances.
In December 2024, Enbridge petitioned to have the 2017 order reopened and set aside, following the sale of its minority stake in the Discovery Pipeline to Williams Companies, Inc. The FTC concluded that with Enbridge divesting from the pipeline, concerns originally addressed by the 2017 order were no longer relevant.
The Commission decided unanimously, 2-0, to approve Enbridge’s petition.
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