Both Pacific NorthWest LNG and the BG Group have been given the go ahead to export Canadian LNG.
Federal Minister of Natural Resources Greg Rickford announced the approval of the export licence application for the Lelu Island and Ridley Island terminals on March 26. For Pacific NorthWest LNG, the licence includes exporting up to 19.68 million metric tonnes of gas per year over a 25-year period while the BG Group's licence includes the export of up to 21.6 million tonnes per year over the course of 25 years.
"World energy demand is on the rise and Canada has the unprecedented energy supply to meet that demand. The approval of these licences is a major step forward in opening the door for Canada's natural gas industry to access world markets. Opening new markets for our energy products supports our government's top priority: Creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for Canadians," said Minister Rickford in a statement.
As well as approving the export licences for the two companies developing projects in Prince Rupert and Port Edward, the government approved an export licence for WCC LNG. A partnership between Imperial Oil and ExxonMobil, WCC is proposing an LNG export facility "in the vicinity of either Kitimat or Prince Rupert".