FINAL investment decisions for various natural gas pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants may be some distance off, but preparations leading up to those decisions continue.
The newest such example is at Northwest Regional Airport where one project has leased vacant and cleared space for a parking lot.
The project proponent isn't clearly identified but the logo on a newly-installed sign reading “private parking, authorized vehicles only,” is of three stylized mountains of an azure-blue colour.
That colour and styling match that of LNG Canada, one of two large potential LNG projects at Kitimat.
“LNG Canada has made provisions for parking at the Northwest Regional Airport in Terrace to function as a “park-and-ride” facility for LNG Canada staff and contractors who live in Terrace and the surrounding areas,” a statement from the project's communications office indicates in response to a query.
“Our staff would be transported from the airport to the LNG Canada site on a dedicated LNG Canada shuttle. This effort is part of our commitment to minimizing traffic on Highway 37 and through the Kitimat area.”
Even without a final investment decision, LNG Canada has applied for various permits to start site preparation work but adds it'll wait until receiving those permits to release details as to what's involved.
“In the interim, our contractors are completing safety induction training so they are ready to mobilize once permits have been received, and we have also made provisions for parking at the Northwest Regional Airport,” said the project's communication office.
“The parking spaces are available to any LNG Canada employee or contractor who live in Terrace and the surrounding areas. This includes employees and contractors who may be visiting the site for meetings, community events, or for work at the site.”
The statement added that LNG Canada wants to start site preparation so it can begin construction in a timely fashion once an investment decision has been made.
No deadline date for a final decision has been set but the project's communications office anticipates it will occur sometime in 2016.
LNG Canada is 40 per cent owned by Shell with the Korea Gas Corporation, Mitsubishi of Japan and PetroChina of China each owning 20 per cent.
If built, the LNG Canada plant would be located in the industrial area of Kitimat, including the former Methanex site which was purchased in 2011.