The Vancouver Sun reports in its Thursday edition the Northwest Territories government has been talking to pipeline companies about shipping crude oil north. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Sun says the NWT government has for some time been touting the concept of an Arctic Gateway pipeline, which could see Alberta crude moved north for shipment from the Beaufort Sea coast. The minister who handles resource development, David Ramsay, said there is industry interest in the idea, but would not disclose names. "Suffice it to say we are meeting, we are discussing opportunities and getting folks to look at some different scenarios," he said. A spokesman for Enbridge confirmed company representatives have met with Mr. Ramsay, but gave no further details. Enbridge already operates an 870-kilometre oil pipeline between Norman Wells, NWT, and Zama, Alta., which has capacity to spare. TransCanada, meanwhile, was involved in the Mackenzie gas project before it was shelved indefinitely. That project aimed to carry natural gas from fields near the Beaufort coast southward. With multiple pipelines out of Alberta facing widespread opposition, "The North may, in fact, at some point be a viable option," said Mr. Ramsay.