LNG Canada, the Shell-led project in the province of British Columbia, has named Shell executive Jason Klein as the new Chief Executive of the project, now described as 60 percent complete and also moving onto gas-processing infrastructure development to join with the Coastal GasLink.
Shell said Klein joins LNG Canada from Shell Canada, where he served as Vice President of Canada Integrated Gas. Klein replaces outgoing CEO Peter Zebedee.
The company said Klein brought to the position “a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of LNG, its role in the global energy transition to lower carbon energy and the part LNG Canada will play” in that transition.
The UK-based major noted in the statement that the project at Kitimat in BC was the largest private investments in Canadian history and was a long-life asset with a 40-year export licence that will initially produce 14 million tonnes per annum of LNG for export.
“I’m excited to join the team, especially at this time with construction in Kitimat progressing steadily and safely towards completion and the organization preparing for decades of successful operations,” explained Klein.
“LNG Canada and its joint venture participants are committed to setting the benchmark for economically, environmentally and socially responsible LNG development in Canada, creating a positive and lasting legacy with First Nations, the local community and all British Columbians based on our values of safety, collaboration, respect and transparency,” he stated.
Upstream to LNG
Klein began his career with Shell in 2016, following its global acquisition of BG Group where Jason held assignments in the Middle East, Europe, North America and Australia in roles spanning the legal function, upstream operations and LNG developments over a period of 13 years (starting in 2003).
“Following the BG takeover, Klein became Vice President US LNG within Shell’s Integrated Gas business, responsible for leading its development of the Elba Island LNG project near Savannah, Georgia,” added the Shell statement.
He has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Trinity University in San Antonio in Texas and a Doctorate in Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law.
“Jason takes over accountability for LNG Canada at a very important and active time,” said Susannah Pierce, Shell Canada President and Country Chairperson.
“He has extensive background in natural gas and LNG and a commitment to ensuring LNG Canada’s relationships with First Nations, communities and other stakeholders remain strong and resilient,” added Pierce.
LNG Canada remains on track and there are currently around 5,000 Canadians employed at its Kitimat site.
A huge natural gas inlet module that will take volumes off the Coastal GasLink pipeline arrived on site in March and marked what the company said was the “next phase” of development.
