Trans Canada Pipelines gets the nod for natural gas pipeline to Prince Rupert

The plans for Petronas Energy to ship LNG to Asian markets took another step forward on Wednesday, with word that Trans Canada Pipelines has been chosen to construct the pipeline to the proposed Lelu Island LNG shipment terminal.

The projects, both terminal and pipeline are still of course subject to the variety of environmental reviews ahead of them.

Should they be approved, a timeline of construction is expected to start in 2015 with completion anticipated by 2018.

The pipeline project is officially known as Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project and would required 750 kilometres of pipe to transport 2 billion cubic feet of gas per day, with expansion capabilities built in for future use.

The announcement of Wednesday and follow up statement from the Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver,  made for much in the way of news coverage from a variety of sources, highlighting the scope of the project and the impact that it could have on Northern BC should the mega projects gain approval.

Prince George Citizen-- Pipeline firm chosen
Prince George Free Press-- TransCanada to build pipeline for Progress Energy
CKPG TV-- New TransCanada Natural Gas Pipeline Announced (video)
CKPG-- New TransCanada Pipeline
Oil and Gas Journal-- Progress Energy makes progress on Prince Rupert gas line
Bloomberg-- TransCanada Plans $5.1 Billion Pipeline to LNG Terminal
CFTK-- TransCanada Awarded Prince Rupert Gas Line Contract
The Northern View-- Trans Canada chosen to build $5 billion dollar pipeline to serve LNG terminal near Prince Rupert
Global TV-- Progress Energy picks Trans Canada for $5 billion natural gas pipeline project
National Post-- Trans Canada to build $5 billion gas pipeline for Progress Energy
Globe and Mail-- Petronas taps Trans Canada for pipeline
The Tyee-- TransCanada to build $5 billion shale gas pipeline project near Prince Rupert

The anticipated job creation in the construction phase would be around 2,000 jobs, while the completed terminal in Prince Rupert would provide for between 200 to 300 positions at the proposed Lelu Island complex.

The TransCanada and Petronas projects are but one of two major LNG initiatives currently in the planning stages for the Prince Rupert area. Projects are also in the planning stages for Kitimat.

Last fall, representatives of the BG Group announced their plans for the North Coast. Following that announcement the company held Open Houses in Prince Rupert and Port Edward to outline their proposed terminal.

You can review much of the information flow on the LNG proposals from our archive page.