Greenpeace protesters opposed to a proposed oil pipeline connection between Alberta and B.C.’s northern coast have occupied an office of Enbridge in downtown Vancouver.

Enbridge wants to build twin pipelines to carry oil from northern Alberta to Kitimat, B.C. In May, the proposal for the Northern Gateway project was submitted for review by federal agencies.

Greenpeace is concerned the pipeline would bring more oil tanker traffic to B.C. coastal waters and increase the risk of a devastating spill.

The activists entered the company’s location on Burrard Street earlier today (July 28), according to a news release from Greenpeace. The group is calling on Enbridge to abandon the pipeline project.

“We are prepared to stay until we feel that Enbridge has heard our message loud and clear,” Stephanie Goodwin, Greenpeace B.C. director, told the Straight today by phone.

Four activists have chained themselves together inside the Enbridge office, while Goodwin said she and others have barricaded themselves in a vehicle outside the building.

Police are at the scene and have spoken to the protesters, but no arrests have been made, Goodwin said.

Inside, activists have used balls of tar collected during a recent trip to view the Gulf of Mexico oil spill aftermath to paint “B.C. next” on a door of the office, she said. They are also calling for a legal ban on oil tanker traffic on the West Coast.

Enbridge representatives could not be reached immediately for comment.

According to the company’s Web site: “Northern Gateway is committed to ensuring that vessels transporting petroleum and condensate via the Kitimat marine terminal will employ the highest worldwide safety and navigational standards.”

Enbridge says the Northern Gateway pipeline project will create jobs through construction and longer-term employment, and contribute $2.6 billion in tax revenue over three decades.

The Greenpeace action comes just days after a reported leak from an Enbridge oil pipeline running between Sarnia, Ont., and Griffith, Indiana.