Canadian native group to discuss Mackenzie Delta pipeline issues
June 12, 2001
By an OGJ Online Correspondent
CALGARY, June 12 -- The aboriginal group that refused to sign a pipeline development agreement with Canada's Mackenzie Delta producers earlier this month says it will debate the issues at a meeting June 25.
The Deh Cho First Nation said any pipeline deal must be part of a land claim settlement being negotiated with Ottawa.
A producer group with 5.8 tcf of gas in the Delta had sought a memorandum of understanding with aboriginal groups outlining development terms at a meeting in Hay River, NWT (OGJ Online, June 7, 2001).
The deal would have given native groups up to one-third equity participation in a proposed pipeline from the Delta to southern markets, via Alberta.
The producer group headed by Imperial Oil Ltd. said aboriginal support is essential to any pipeline development. Producers are studying feasibility of a $3 billion (Can.), line with initial capacity of 800 MMcfd to 1 bcfd.
NWT Finance Minister Joe Handley said if the Deh Cho fail to reach agreement, the broad support by most aboriginal communities for the Mackenzie line could be affected.
