The Steelhead LNG liquefied natural gas project is studying a pipeline route from Chetwynd, in northeastern British Columbia, to the Kwispaa LNG facility it plans to build on Vancouver Island.
The LNG plant, to be co-managed by Steelhead LNG and the Huu-ay-aht First Nation, was submitted for provincial environmental assessment in October 2018.
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The 1,000-kilometre, 120-centimetre-diametre pipeline would initially carry two billion cubic feet (bcf) of fracked gas per day, and could eventually double to 4 bcf.
“The proposed route for the pipeline begins in the Chetwynd area, parallels existing multi-utility corridors near Williams Lake, and branches off towards the south coast, with options through the Coast Mountains, and with a subsea crossing to Vancouver Island to end at Kwispaa LNG, which is on the west coast of the island,” Pipeline News Network reports.
“We understand the importance of engaging communities at the earliest stage in the route exploration,” said Steelhead Vice President, Pipelines Corey Goulet. “We’re committed to building mutually beneficial relationships with communities, and developing projects in an environmentally responsible manner.”
But at a January 10 meeting of the Peace River Regional District, directors expressed concern about the cumulative impact of the various projects in the region, PNN notes.
“The people living on the land there are impacted severely, and the private landowners are starting to feel like their land isn’t worth anything, other than for extraction of natural resources,” said Area D director Leonard Hiebert.
“Each and every landowner that will be touched, would have an individual relationship or discussion with us as well,” Goulet replied. “We have a plan to spend time with each and every person affected by the project, and provide them with the information and the opportunity for input.”
But only so much input, it would seem: Steelhead plans to select a preferred route by March 31, and is hoping for a final investment decision in 2020. Both the LNG plant and the pipeline would go into operation in 2024. Peace River Area E Director Dan Rose called that timeline “really optimistic”.
