Nov 14 (Reuters) - Canadian pipeline operator Enbridge ( ENB )

on Friday approved a $1.4 billion expansion of its

Mainline and Flanagan South pipelines, adding new capacity for

Canadian heavy crude into the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast.

The project adds additional takeaway capacity for

Canadian crude and expands access to U.S. refineries.

Enbridge ( ENB ) said Mainline Optimization Phase 1 will add

150,000 barrels per day to its Mainline network and 100,000 bpd

to the Flanagan South Pipeline.

The company expects the additional capacity to come

online in 2027.