Another Alberta energy giant may be turning its eyes to the North Coast as a means of getting its product to Asian markets.
AltaGas Ltd. has purchased 11 acres of waterfront property near Wainwright Basin from the District of Port Edward for $625,000. The company has publicly spoken about plans to export two million tonnes of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) per year by 2017 and 700,000 tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) per year by 2017.
The AltaGas-owned Pacific Northern Gas pipeline is a key component of the BC LNG proposal in Kitimat. While he said nothing is certain about the proposed propane export facility, which would see the gas shipped by rail, AltaGas senior communications advisor Fred Cheney confirmed the company is looking to the region for both projects.
“We are definitely looking into northwestern B.C. as opposed to the Lower Mainland. We are looking into sites in that area, but it is still very preliminary ... we are still conducting sustainability and feasibility studies for any project,” he said, noting more information will be forthcoming.
“As we move forward, we have committed to working with government, First Nations and other stakeholders that are involved ... we try to be as transparent with all stakeholders as we can. If we see sites we view as viable for construction for those facilities we will be letting people know.”
However, Cheney said those plans may not necessarily involve the land purchased from Port Edward.
“AltaGas is still assessing potential uses for this land,” he said.
While LNG is transported by pipeline, propane would arrive to the North Coast via rail.