North Montney Pipeline update

Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, has announced the Government of Canada’s decision to accept the National Energy Board’s (NEB) recommendation to approve the North Montney Mainline Pipeline project, subject to 45 conditions.

The North Montney Mainline Pipeline proposal was submitted by NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) to the NEB for review in 2013. The CAN$1.7 billion project will transport natural gas from northeastern British Columbia to the existing NGTL system, where it can be sold to markets in Alberta and, through a separate pipeline, to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG terminal.

In April 2015, the NEB found that with the 45 terms and conditions imposed, the project is in the public interest. No project will be approved without meeting the highest standards for public safety and environmental protection. After carefully reviewing the report, the Government accepts the independent Panel’s recommendation to approve NGTL’s North Montney proposal.

The proposal underwent a rigorous, science-based review by a three-member Review Panel of the independent NEB, which recommended the imposition of the 45 conditions. The NEB is responsible for life-cycle regulation of the 73 000 km of pipelines transporting crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products across Canada with a world class safety regime.

The proposed 42 in. North Montney pipeline would have initial gas transportation capacity of 2.1 billion ft³/day. NGTL must next demonstrate to the NEB how it will meet the necessary conditions before construction can begin. This includes requirements to engage further with Aboriginal groups and local communities on efforts to mitigate project impacts.

Adapted from press release by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/11062015/north-montney-pipeline-update/