Canada’s Québec seeking LNG suppliers for Côte-Nord

Ministry of energy and natural resources of Canada’s Québec, together with the Société du Plan Nord (SPN) are launched a call for proposals to identify a supplier of liquefied natural gas to the Côte-Nord region.

Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources Naturelles (MERN) said the call for proposals was unveiled in Québec’s 2018-2019 Economic Plan and is the first step in a process designed to supply LNG to large manufacturing companies, mining companies, ship owners and maritime transportation companies in the Côte-Nord region.

The ministry believes that access to stable supplies of LNG, along with the creation of an effective logistics chain for distribution purposes, will help promote economic development in the region.

The availability of natural gas will also allow companies to become more competitive and will serve as an incentive to attract new industrial projects.

The result will be an increase in the quantity of LNG consumed and a faster return for the supplier. In addition, the availability of natural gas should gradually reduce the use of heavy and light fuel oil.

Ministry’s notice says the promoters have until October 15, 2018, to present a detailed offer based on the requirements set out in the call for proposals.

Speaking of the proposal, Pierre Moreau, minister of energy and natural resources and minister responsible for the Plan Nord, said, “Conversion of industrial facilities to natural gas and greater use of natural gas in the rail and maritime transportation sectors will help the Québec Government to achieve its ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets between now and 2030.”

A number of companies in the region have already shown interest in switching to liquefied natural gas and a pelletization plant in Port‑Cartier is currently involved in a pilot project to convert part of its production process and some of its plant activities to liquefied natural gas.