Petronas Canada LNG Project Update

Reuters reports that the firm and its partners have been waiting nearly three years for a permit to build the Pacific NorthWest LNG facility in northern British Columbia, on the Pacific coast.

News of the latest delay broke on Saturday, when federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna agreed to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s request (CEAA) for the extra three months.

The CEAA – which had been due to deliver its report to McKenna by March 22 – said it needed more data from the project’s backers after they handed over a series of documents and observations on March 4.

A spokeswoman for McKenna said the federal cabinet would announce a decision three months after the backers had handed over the requested additional information.

”PETRONAS, through its subsidiary Pacific NorthWest LNG, is proactively taking steps to mature the project towards its Final Investment Decision. 

 Currently, the Canadian environmental impact assessment process for the PNW LNG project is still ongoing, following which a final report will be produced by the relevant agency to be submitted to the Government of Canada for approval. PETRONAS, together with the project shareholders, will review the said final report and evaluate conditions attached to the report to further determine their impact on the overall cost structure and schedule of the project.  The outcome, reviewed together with the LNG market outlook and overall project commerciality, will be used to develop the proposal for an investment decision to be considered by the PNW LNG shareholders.”

Further updates may be found by reading the following:

Fish habitat worries stalls approval of B.C.’s Pacific NorthWest LNG project