Canada: CEAA resumes PNW LNG environmental review

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has continued its review of the multi-billion dollar Petronas-led Pacific NorthWest LNG project on Lelu Island, following the submission of final response by PNW LNG. 

According to a statement issued by the Canadian regulator, Pacific NorthWest LNG submitted its final response in relation to an information request issued in March, that was followed by Canada’s minister of environment and climate change, Catherine McKenna’s decision to put the project’s review on hold.

The CEAA requested information regarding the potential for aspects of the construction of the project to adversely affect fish and fish habitat, human health, and the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes.

The final response includes information on potential effects on marine mammals and fish from in-water marine construction noise and underwater pressures, potential effects on fish from over-water marine construction lighting and potential effects on human health from construction lighting and noise, among others.

In its response to the agency, PNW LNG noted that the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) phase of the project is estimated to take 64 months until operation of Train 1 begins and an additional 6 months until operation of Train 2 begins.

The two trains will have an approximate production capacity of six million tons per annum each, and will be followed by a subsequent development of a third train with approximately six mtpa production capacity.

CEAA “has determined that the proponent’s final response satisfies the information request,” and has resumed the legislated timeline for the project, including the three-month extension granted by the minister of environment and climate change.

Petronas said earlier this year that, once the company receives the decision from the CEAA, it will then review the report “to further determine their impact on the overall cost structure and schedule of the project.”

Based on the outcome, combined with LNG market outlook and overall project commerciality, Petronas said it will develop the proposal for the final investment decision on the project.

Petronas, Sinopec, JAPEX, Indian Oil Corporation and PetroleumBRUNEI are all shareholders in Pacific NorthWest LNG and the associated natural gas supply.

[mappress mapid=”17921″]

LNG World News Staff