Kitimat, BC – LNG Canada has successfully loaded a first cargo of liquefied natural gas that is now destined for global markets, marking the start of operations at Canada’s first large-scale LNG export facility, it was announced Monday.
The new LNG Canada export facility is located in Kitimat in the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation. It is a long-life asset that will initially export LNG from two processing units or “trains” with a total capacity of 14 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared: “Canada has what the world needs. With LNG Canada’s first shipment to Asia, Canada is exporting its energy to reliable partners, diversifying trade, and reducing global emissions — all in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. By turning aspiration into action, Canada can become the world’s leading energy superpower with the strongest economy in the G7.”
“Today is a historic moment for LNG Canada and our five joint venture participants (JVPs), Haisla Nation, the District of Kitimat, British Columbia and all of Canada,” said Chris Cooper, LNG Canada President and CEO. “We began with a clear vision: To work side-by-side with First Nations and local communities as the catalyst for a thriving new energy sector in Canada, and to set a new standard for safe and responsible LNG production. As world events continue to demonstrate, a reliable supply of responsibly produced energy should never be taken for granted. We’re proud to be part of the effort to help Canada diversify its export markets and to deliver lower carbon energy to the world, for many decades to come.”
On making its final investment decision in October 2018, LNG Canada agreed to meet the Government of British Columbia‘s conditions for LNG development in the province, to provide jobs, training opportunities and additional benefits to residents.
Some of the benefits LNG Canada has delivered to British Columbians and Canadians over the span of construction include:
- More than 50,000 Canadians have directly contributed to building LNG Canada Phase 1. The connecting Coastal GasLink pipeline employed more than 25,000 Canadians. In operations, more than 300 full-time, permanent LNG Canada jobs have been created.
- The cumulative value of LNG Canada’s contracts and subcontracts to local, Indigenous and other businesses in B.C. to date has exceeded CAD$5.8 billion; this includes more than CAD$4.9 billion to Indigenous-owned and local area businesses. It includes a CAD$500 million contract with HaiSea Marine, a joint venture between the Haisla Nation and North Vancouver-based Seaspan providing harbour and escort tugboat services to LNG Canada with its innovative fleet of battery-powered and low emissions vessels.
- LNG Canada has to date invested more than CAD$10 million in workforce development programs—meaningful trades training and development programs designed to increase the participation of local area residents, Indigenous communities and British Columbians in trades and construction-related activities including but not limited to the LNG Canada project.
- We have also contributed more than CAD$13 million to programs and equipment benefiting Kitimat, Terrace and First Nations communities, and enabled and supported the addition of new long-term housing in the Kitimat and Terrace region.
LNG Canada and its JVPs continue to explore pathways for a potential Phase 2 expansion, which may include the construction of two additional LNG trains, resulting in a total plant capacity of 28 mtpa.
Each LNG Canada joint venture participant will provide its own natural gas supply and individually offtake and market their respective share of liquified natural gas from LNG Canada, starting today.
(Photo from LNG Canada)