The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Nov. 30, edition that Enbridge on Wednesday forecast higher core earnings and raised its dividend for 2024 as the Canadian pipeline operator bets on higher demand to lift volumes transported across its network. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that industry experts have forecast that Canadian oil and gas producers will drill 8 per cent more wells in 2024 to take advantage of greater access to pipelines. Enbridge said it expects $9.3-billion in core profit from its liquids pipelines business and it expects to deploy about $6-billion of capital in 2024. The company forecast adjusted core earnings to be between $16.6-billion and $17.2-billion next year, higher than its 2023 expectations of $15.9-billion to $16.5-billion. Enbridge raised its 2024 dividend by 3.1 per cent. Enbridge, which made a $14-billion bid to buy three utilities from Dominion Energy in September, said it had secured financing for more than 75 per cent of the total purchase price. The deal, expected to close in 2024, would double the Calgary-based company's gas distribution business and create North America's largest natural gas provider.