Nisga'a Nation seeks investors to pursue LNG project

The Nisga'a Nation has confirmed its Benefits Agreement with Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Ltd (PRGT) to provide right of way certainty for its proposed LNG pipeline project from northeastern British Columbia to the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG export facility at Lelu Island near Prince Rupert.

Nisga'a Nation also announced it is actively seeking investors to pursue an LNG liquefaction project using the expansion capacity it has secured on the pipeline under this agreement.

President Mitchell Stevens commented: "The Nisga'a Nation, strives for sustainable prosperity and the prudent use of the lands that it owns, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial economic relationship with PRGT.

"Working together with PRGT, we have concluded an agreement that provides project certainty for PRGT in the construction of this pipeline that is critical to the aspirations of both British Columbia and the Nisga'a Nation to be a part of the world class LNG export industry. It also provides numerous financial and other benefits to the Nisga'a Nation over the life of the project to ensure the Nisga'a Nation can achieve its broader economic goals including the ability to participate directly in LNG development."

Dean Patry, President of Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project, added: "We are very pleased to have concluded a Benefits Agreement with the Nisga'a Lisims government. The agreement is an important milestone for us, and it reflects our commitment to engage with the Nisga'a people in a meaningful way and provide fair compensation for the easements and associated impacts during construction. We strongly believe that ongoing collaboration is the only way to build and keep a positive relationship as we move this project forward."

PRGT is proposing to design, build, own and operate and decommission a 900 km natural gas pipeline project to deliver natural gas from a point near Hudson's Hope to the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG facility at Lelu Island, near Prince Rupert. The Benefits Agreement will allow approximately 97 km of the proposed project to run through Nisga'a Lands owned by the Nisga'a Nation and the Provincial Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park.

Stevens continued: "As a result of this agreement, we hold an option for an unparalleled opportunity for an LNG investor to join us in bringing LNG to market. We serve notice to the LNG sector and invite interested investors to explore this unique and highly attractive opportunity with us.

"Access to tidewater site and transportation capacity on the PRGT pipeline will enable an LNG proponent to joint venture with the Nisga'a Nation to establish an LNG processing facility at one of our sites in the Nass Area, in close proximity to an eventual pipeline route, on shipping lanes located closer to Asia.

"The Nisga'a Nation has accumulated the key elements to become an active participant in the LNG industry in BC. This is the type of opportunity for which our elders struggled for over the past century so we could achieve sustainable prosperity for our people extending into the next century."

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/07112014/nisgaa-nation-confirms-lng-benefits-agreement-1749/