* Sale could fetch $1 billion-$2 billion -sources
* Bidders include Enbridge, Pembina, CPPIB
By John Tilak
TORONTO, July 14 (Reuters) - Williams Cos Inc's Canadian unit has attracted at least seven bidders, includingEnbridge Inc and Pembina Pipeline Corp, thatcould bring the U.S. pipeline company up to $2 billion, peoplefamiliar with the situation said.
Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Williams, whose deal with EnergyTransfer Equity fell through last month, is working withBarclays Plc and Toronto Dominion Bank on thesale, the sources said.
Interest has come from pipeline companies Enbridge, Pembina,Keyera Corp and Inter Pipeline Ltd, said thesources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the processis private.
Pension funds including the Canada Pension Plan InvestmentBoard, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and the Ontario MunicipalEmployees Retirement System, as well as U.S. companies, alsoexpressed interest, the sources said.
Enbridge, Pembina, Keyera, Inter Pipeline, CPPIB and TDSecurities declined to comment. Williams, Teachers, OMERS andBarclays did not respond to requests for comment.
The Canadian unit could fetch more than $1 billion and asmuch as $2 billion, the sources said. The sale process forWilliams Canada is at an advanced stage, and a deal could resultby the end of the month, they said.
It is still not clear whether the buyers will be able tomatch the company's price expectations, one source said.
Earlier this month, Williams' board stood by Chief ExecutiveOfficer Alan Armstrong and named a new chairman after sixdirectors resigned following a failed attempt to unseat him.
With operations in Fort McMurray as well as Sturgeon Countynear Edmonton, Williams has invested more than $2 billion inCanada. In an undated video on its website, the company says itcould invest up to $2.8 billion in new Canadian projects.
Interest from buyers has been robust, the sources said,highlighting demand for midstream assets that offer a steadycash flow despite volatility in the price of oil. Midstreamcompanies are involved in the processing and transportation ofoil and gas.
The two-year slump in oil prices has hurt the Canadianenergy industry, weighing on production plans, driving downshare prices and triggering a range of cost-cutting measures.
CPPIB teamed up with Wolf Infrastructure Inc last year tocreate an investment vehicle focusing on energy infrastructureassets. (Additional reporting by Matt Scuffham in Toronto, Nia Williamsin Calgary, Mike Stone in New York; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
Barclays (BARC)
