Spectra application accepted for review

Spectra Energy Corp. announced that its Environmental Assessment Certificate Application for the Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project had been formally accepted for review by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office. This begins an extensive 180-day review process, which includes a 45-day public comment period beginning on 14 May, 2014 and ending on 27 June, 2014.

"Our application summarises the work that the Westcoast Connector project team has undertaken over three years and hundreds of thousands of hours to study the environmental, economic, social, heritage and health interactions that are of critical concern to Spectra Energy, just as they are to the Aboriginal and local communities along our proposed route," said Doug Bloom, president of Spectra Energy's Canadian LNG business.

"It draws on the benefit of our nearly six-decade legacy of working, living and learning from British Columbians going back to the inception of B.C.'s natural gas industry."

While preparing to chart a new path for B.C.'s vast natural gas resources to reach the northwest coast for transport to new markets, Spectra Energy once again brought its long-term view to project design. The application includes analysis, and reflects consultation, for a natural gas transportation corridor that would allow for up to two pipelines within a single right of way. This approach could help limit the potential environmental and local impacts during construction and operation, and plan for consolidation of future industry growth in a smart, thoughtful way.

Community building

"As a company that has worked in B.C. for more than a generation, we know that pursuing this generational opportunity for a new LNG industry needs to be done thoughtfully, as part of a robust regulatory process, and as part of long-term relationship building effort with the communities that will be our neighbours for the next century," continued Bloom. "We look forward to continuing our Aboriginal and public engagement programmes throughout the application review process and beyond as we work to develop the best possible project."

The proposed Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project is a new natural gas system that will begin in the Cypress area of northeast B.C. and end at BG Group's proposed Prince Rupert LNG export facility, on Ridley Island. The Project is envisioned as a natural gas transportation corridor that can allow for up to two pipelines with total design capacity of 8.4 billion ft³/d in a single right of way, creating an opportunity for multiple LNG projects to the Prince Rupert area, with as small a footprint as possible. Service of the approximately 850 km and up to 4.2 billion ft³/d natural gas pipeline, with project partner BG Group, is currently expected to commence around the end of decade, pending final investment decision.

For more information on the Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project, click on the following link energyforbc.ca

Adapted from press release by Ted Monroe

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/08052014/spectra_environmental_application_for_pipeline_project_accepted_for_review/