(Photo: Pipeworx)

CALGARY TransCanada Corp. says an independent report predicts the equivalent of 10,000 full-time jobs will be directly supported during the development and construction phase of the proposed Energy East pipeline to New Brunswick.

Energy East is expected to take six years to complete, supporting 2,300 jobs from now through 2015 during the development phase and 7,700 jobs during the construction phase between 2016 and 2018, according to estimates prepared by Deloitte & Touche and released Tuesday by TransCanada.

The study says there will also be 1,000 full-time jobs supported by the $12-billion pipeline once it begins service after 2018.

TransCanada has proposed the Energy East project to deliver crude from western Canada as far east as Saint John, N.B.

However, it faces opposition from some groups concerned about the environmental and economic impact of shipping oil across the country, with much of it destined for export to foreign markets.

TransCanada has scheduled a media briefing to discuss details of the Deloitte study, commissioned as part of the companys efforts to win support for the project.

Energy East is a critical infrastructure project for all Canadians because it will enhance our countrys energy security, allow us to receive greater value for our important natural resources and will create tangible economic benefits for communities across the country, Russ Girling, TransCanadas president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

This pipeline is an excellent example of how Canadas oil and gas sector is truly a national industry that generates thousands of jobs, billions of dollars in economic benefits and billions more in tax revenues.

The study estimates there will be $3 billion of additional tax revenue for municipal, provincial and federal governments across Canada during the construction phase.

During the expected 40-year operational life of the project, Deloitte projects $7.2 billion of additional tax revenues.