Posted: 29 Mar, 2017
TransCanada Corporation has filed a variance application with the National Energy Board to proceed with construction of the North Montney Mainline Project in northeast British Columbia. TransCanada has previously been granted the required primary federal and provincial approvals to construct the project, subject to conditions that include the requirement for a positive final investment decision on the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG Project. TransCanada has secured new 20-year commercial contracts with 11 shippers for approximately 1.5 Bcf/d of firm service to support the variance.
The Peace River Regional District project will be approximately 301 kilometers (km) of pipeline. The Aitken Creek section will be approximately 182 km of 42-inch diameter pipeline. The south end will connect with the northern end of the existing Groundbirch Mainline (Saturn Section), located about 35 km southwest of Fort St. John. The north end will be about 100 km northwest of Fort St. John. The Kahta section will be approximately 119 km of 42-inch diameter pipeline connecting to the north end of the Aitken Creek section and ending at a point about 180 km northwest of Fort St. John.
“This project adds significant pipeline capacity that connects new gas supplies from the prolific Montney basin to the NGTL System and will provide access to markets across North America,” said Karl Johannson, TransCanada’s executive vice president and president, natural gas pipelines.
“This investment further affirms our commitment to build key natural gas infrastructure in B.C. and ensures that the NGTL System can continue to efficiently and competitively meet the transportation needs of our customers,” added Johannson. “The North Montney Mainline Project will provide new jobs and economic benefits for governments and communities, while supporting further upstream resource investment in B.C.”
Subject to regulatory approvals, TransCanada plans to begin construction in the first half of 2018, with facilities being phased into service over a two-year period, beginning in April 2019.
Source: Pipeline and Gas Journal, TransCanada