Pipeline Operator Enbridge Cuts 530 Jobs

OTTAWA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Oct, 2016 ) : Canadian oil and gas pipeline operator Enbridge is laying off five percent of its workforce, or about 530 jobs in Canada and the United States, it announced Wednesday.

The cuts come a month after the company bought US rival Spectra Energy for Can$37 billion (US$28 billion) to create North America's largest energy infrastructure firm with a network of more than 86,000 kilometers (54,000 miles) of oil and gas pipelines.

Spokeswoman Suzanne Wilton said the reduction in number of positions, however, "is not related to the Spectra Energy combination.

" Rather, it stems from an organizational review started at the beginning of 2016, she said.

"It is focused on what we need to do to achieve our strategy of growth and diversification, enhance our competitiveness, and allow us to capitalize on opportunities now and into the future," she said. This is the second round of cuts in a year. The company slashed another five percent of its work force last November.