TransCanada announced that it has been selected to design and build a $5 billion pipeline to serve the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG terminal on Lelu Island in Port Edward.
The project would transport natural gas from the Fort St. John area to the terminal, which is being constructed by Progress Energy and Petronas, near Prince Rupert. Progress and TransCanada expect to finalize definitive agreements in early 2013, subject to approvals by their respective Boards. The company will begin Aboriginal and stakeholder consultations "immediately" and anticipate 2,500 workers will be needed to build the project.
“The proposed Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project will allow British Columbians, and all Canadians, to continue to benefit from the responsible development of the growing supply of valuable natural gas resources in the WCSB”, said Russ Girling, TransCanada’s President and CEO in a press release announcing the pipeline.
“TransCanada has an industry leading safety record that we are extremely proud of, and we look forward to involving the skilled workforce in B.C. and across Canada to help us develop an important new component of B.C.’s growing natural gas infrastructure."
TransCanada is also planning to build the Coastal GasLink pipeline to service LNG terminals proposed for Kitimat. In addition to the $5 billion pipeline to Prince Rupert, the company will be spending another $1 billion to expand its natural gas pipeline in northeastern B.C.
TransCanada CEO Russ Girling will be providing more details on the project this afternoon at the 10th Annual Natural Resources Forum in Prince George.
Look for more details as they become available