Tuesday, October 2, 2018

LNG Green Light for Kitimat, as LNG Canada announces project to go ahead

The long winding road of LNG development in the Northwest has put down its roots in Kitimat, with LNG Canada announcing late Monday evening that Shell and its partners were moving ahead with a final investment decision.

 Andy Calitz, CEO of LNG Canada shared the details through an announcement Monday night providing some background to a decision that will make for a significant impact for those living at the north end of Douglas Channel.

“The Final Investment Decision taken by our joint venture participants shows that British Columbia and Canada, working with First Nations and local communities, can deliver competitive energy projects,”  ... “This decision showcases how industrial development can co-exist with environmental stewardship and Indigenous interests.”

“We look forward to helping Canada take its place on the global map of LNG exporting countries and want to recognize the important role played by all levels of government, First Nations and the many people that supported LNG Canada to help us get to an FID,”  .... “We also thank our joint venture participants for their trust in our ability to deliver a cost-competitive and reliable source of LNG for their global portfolios.”

The first footprint of the Kitimat terminal to be the development of two processing units known as trains, with the first shipment of LNG expected to depart Kitimat in the middle of the next decade.

The District of Kitimat was quick to respond with a letter of congratulations, hailing the milestone that the announcement means for that community, with Mayor Phil Germuth comparing the anticipation of the LNG Canada project to that of when the Aluminum Company of Canada selected Kitimat for development of an aluminum smelter and a community.

The District of Kitimat has congratulated
LNG Canada for their Final Investment Deictiona
to go ahead with development of an LNG terminal in the community

(click to enlarge)

With a signing ceremony to come Tuesday in Vancouver involving a range of dignitaries from Kitimat, the Haisla Nation, Federal and Provincial governments and LNG Canada, some early quotes have set the tone for what will come later today.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who already had a fairly significant day following trade negotiations with the USA and Mexico, hailed the milestone for energy production that the announcement brings.

“Today’s announcement by LNG Canada represents the single largest private sector investment project in Canadian history. It is a vote of confidence in a country that recognizes the need to develop our energy in way that takes the environment into account, and that works in meaningful partnership with Indigenous communities.”

British Columbia John Horgan highlighted the partnerships with Indigenous communities and the
path that the FID will create for future investment in the province.

"The project LNG Canada is bringing to northern B.C. symbolizes the kind of balanced and sustainable path forward British Columbians are looking for," ... "We welcome the unprecedented commitment shown by the LNG Canada partners to work within our province's ambitious climate goals. The critical importance of this project is what it represents – the intersecting of economic development, jobs for local workers, partnerships with Indigenous communities and forward-looking climate leadership. We're delighted the global business community sees British Columbia as a natural home for this kind of investment."

The first shipments from the LNG Canada terminal in Kitimat
are expected to take place in the mid 2020's

(artists rendition of the LNG Canada project, LNG Canada website)


More on the FID and what it will mean for Kitimat, British Columbia and the Canadian Energy sector will be outlined at the announcement ceremony of today.

Updates and reference notes from this mornings Press conference and signing ceremony:

LNG Canada Announcement

Statement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: Government of Canada welcomes largest private sector investment project in Canadian history 

Statement and Info Sheet from the Government of British Columbia: BC's new LNG Framework to deliver record investment, world's cleanest LNG facility

Statement from the Haisla Nation: Celebrates momentous decision on LNG Canada Project

District of Kitimat: LNG Canada's Final Investment Decision

Video of Announcement and Signing Ceremony (from Vancouver Sun)

LNG Canada's past project vignettes



Some of the early reviews of Monday's news can be found below:

Monster LNG project will change how homes, businesses use power
Former BC Premier Christy Clark praises NDP for getting LNG deal done
Trudeau calls LNG project in BC biggest private investment in Canada's history
Maybe Horgan should send Christy Clark a nice thank-you card
LNG Canada project forces BC to find new ways to meet climate targets
Co-owners give $40 billion LNG Canada project green light in BC
$40B LNG facility is the light at the end of a long tunnel for Canada's natural gas sector
Trudeau backs LNG Canada amid looming steel duties
Shell, partners green light $40 billion LNG Canada investment
Questions answered, answers questioned in LNG Canada decision
What LNG means for gas sector
LNG Canada project formally signed into reality
LNG Canada project is a go
Former BC Premier Christy Clark says she doesn't care who gets credit for delivering LNG
'A spectacular day for British Columbians': Premier Horgan vows to hit climate targets even with LNG emissions
Environmentalists vexed by approval of Kitimat LNG project estimated to produce 3.45 megatonnes of carbon emissions
Big is Back: Canada's Mega LNG project gets green light on Asia Demand
Canada challenges US energy dominance with 'megaproject' one day after NAFTA deal
LNG Canada, nations biggest private-sector project yet, wins go-ahead
LNG Canada terminal does little for short-term prices but boosts gas producer confidence
Massive LNG Canada project in BC gets green light from shareholders
LNG Canada project in Kitimat given green light to build by shareholders
LNG Canada export facility in northern BC gets green light
LNG Canada project in BC gets shareholder's OK
$40B LNG project in northern BC gets go-ahead
The politics of LNG: Why Justin Trudeau and John Horgan could be putting their careers on the line today
Shell, partners green light $40 billion LNG Canada investment
LNG Canada, Justin Trudeau, and John Horan unveil LNG project
LNG Canada finally gives Trudeau the energy sector win he badly needed
The other trade battle in energy heats up
Shell's LNG Canada seen as tip of megaproject iceberg
'First of many': $40B LNG Canada signals revival of mega projects
Canada's Bruised energy sector sees LNG project as first of many
Shell approves $12bn liquefied natural gas project in Canada
LNG Canada makes it official, project gets partner approval
-
LNG Canada lauded as environmental saviour
Q&A: John Horgan on environmental challenges of LNG Canada
Carbon Tax, sales tax breaks finally make BC LNG happen
LNG Canada delivers positive investment decision
It's a Go! LNG Canada given the Green Light to Proceed 
LNG Canada gets the green light
Kitimat Mayor thrilled with LNG Canada announcement
Weaver says Greens won't support NDP LNG plans
Family the focus for Kitimat residents with LNG coming to town
LNG Canada announces final investment decision to build export facility in Kitimat
$50 Billion LNG Canada project gets green light in BC
It's a Go!
BC Greens will vote against LNG Canada going ahead
LNG Canada project in Kitimat given green light to build by shareholders
Kitimat residents prepare for good and bad to come from LNG Canada announcement
MLA's buzzing over $40 billion LNG plan
BC faces emissions cap as LNG Canada looks set to go
Huge LNG plant in Kitimat gets the green light, reports say

For a look back at some of the history of the LNG Canada project in Kitimat see our archive page here.

To return to our most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

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