West Coast LNG export plans get federal Canadian green light

April 13, 2012
Canada’s federal government has approved a 20-year license to BC LNG Export Cooperative to export LNG from Kitimat, BC. This action follows a similar approval by Canada’s National Energy Board in February (OGJ Online, Feb. 3, 2012).

Canada’s federal government has approved a 20-year license to BC LNG Export Cooperative to export LNG from Kitimat, BC. This action follows a similar approval by Canada’s National Energy Board in February (OGJ Online, Feb. 3, 2012).

The export plant will be built on the west bank of the Douglas Channel in the District of Kitimat. BC LNG intends to ship as much as 1.8 million tonnes/year, mainly to Asia.

BC LNG is owned by LNG Partners LLC, Houston, and HN DC LNG LP, each with a 50% interest. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources announcement, natural gas would move to the Douglas Channel site via the existing Pacific Northern Gas Pipeline and possibly on the proposed Pacific Trail Pipeline.

The ministry said the proposed plant is undergoing an environmental assessment in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The plant’s first phase targets operation by late 2013 or early 2014 and would represent the first LNG exports from Canada.