Canaport LNG fined $750,000 for death of 7,500 birds

Repsol-operated Canaport LNG terminal in Canada will pay $750,000 in fines and penalties after it took responsibility for the death of 7,500 birds.

Canaport LNG said in a statement on Thursday it has reached a settlement with the Crown for the incident that occurred on Sept. 13-14, 2013, in which “approximately 7,500 migratory birds died as a result of direct or indirect contact with burning natural gas from Canaport LNG’s flare stack.”

As part of the settlement agreement, Canaport LNG will pay $750,000 in fines and penalties for a violation of the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Species at Risk Act.

This amount includes $600,000 in contributions to local non-profit organizations and educational institutions to improve understanding of migratory birds, their flight patterns and methods to better protect them, according to the statement.

“Canaport LNG sincerely regrets the harm caused in this incident,” Canaport LNG General Manager Pedro Boyra said. “This has been a difficult and regrettable matter and we accept full responsibility.” 

On Sept. 29, 2013, Canaport LNG completed a two-year $45 million upgrade project that reduced the need to flare gas at the terminal. This equipment would have been in service prior to the incident, if not for a mechanical breakdown, Canaport LNG said.

“As a direct result of lessons learned from this incident, Canaport LNG now actively monitors bird migration projections and plans maintenance activities during times that avoid peak migration and adverse weather conditions as much as possible.”

Canaport LNG also installed an audible system that deters birds during flaring, it added.

Canaport LNG is a partnership between Repsol (75%) and Irving Oil (25%) with Canaport LNG as the developer, owner and operator of the terminal located in Saint John, New Brunswick.

LNG World News Staff; Image: Canaport LNG