LNG

Canadian liquefied natural gas will be in the spotlight as the world’s energy leaders take the stage at LNG2023, the pre-eminent meeting of the international LNG industry set to take place soon in Vancouver in British Columbia.

The LNG and natural gas industry will meet from July 10 to July 13 for a conference and exhibition hosted by the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) and which is the 20th edition of the largest triennial LNG event.

Up to 15,000 delegates and stakeholders from more than 85 countries are expected to attend LNG2023.

The organisers said that the event would feature more than 250 speakers and 150 exhibitors, providing delegates an essential voice in the “vital discourse on LNG’s role in ensuring future energy stability, sustainability and affordability” in the years to come.

“Canada is on the cusp of becoming an LNG exporting leader in a world demanding reliable, sustainable sources of responsibly produced energy,” says Jason Klein, the Chief Executive of LNG Canada, the Shell-led project in BC. Klein will open the conference on July 10 with a leadership dialogue session.

Global security

Klein intends to talk about ways the LNG Canada joint venture under construction in Kitimat on the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation can help provide global energy security while reducing global greenhouse-gas emissions by supplying LNG to displace coal as an energy source in Asia.

“Our future LNG business will provide security of supply for global markets that rely on Canada’s natural gas reserves to fuel their economies, reduce global GHG emissions as natural gas replaces the use of coal and brings significant economic growth and stability to British Columbia,” Klein explained.

Along with the many Canadian delegates and exhibitors, several Canadian industry and Indigenous leaders will represent the country at the global event.

Crystal Smith, Chair of the First Nations LNG Alliance, and Sharleen Gale, Chief Councillor of the Fort Nelson First Nation, will join energy leaders in discussing the important role LNG projects play in Indigenous reconciliation.

Also set to speak is Greg Ebel, CEO of Canada-based Enbridge Inc., which is a leading pipeline natural gas company and a growing supplier of North American LNG feed gas. Ebel will discuss LNG’s role in “facilitating an orderly” energy transition.

Mike Rose, President and CEO of energy company Tourmaline, has said he will focus on how the environmental impact of the LNG supply chain has been reduced through innovations in methane and carbon emissions mitigation.

The Canadian Gas Association said it intended to showcase Canadian organizations and innovations in a dedicated Canadian industry pavilion.

“CGA members include energy distribution and transmission companies, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers of goods and services to the industry and meet 38 percent of Canada’s energy needs,” the body noted.

Essential forum

Mel Ydreos, Executive Director of LNG2023, said the event would be an essential forum to understand the evolving policy environment and the latest technological advances.

“LNG will be crucial to resolving the global energy crisis and securing a reliable pathway to deeper decarbonisation,” stated Ydreos.

LNG2023 is presented by the International Gas Union (IGU), GTI Energy and the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR).

For information or tickets visit www.lng2023.org

A First Nation-led liquefied natural gas export project proposed for near the port of Prince Rupert on the northern Pacific coast of British Columbia has been awarded a 40-year natural gas export licence.

Police in the Canadian province of British Columbia said environmental extremists have carried out a violent attack on a project site of the Coastal GasLink LNG feed-gas pipeline for LNG Canada.

Pembina Pipeline Corp., the Canadian energy transportation and midstream firm with liquefied natural gas project ambitions, has terminated its acquisition agreement with Inter Pipeline Ltd, the owner of oil and gas pipeline assets in Western Canada as well as storage facilities and processing plants.

TC Energy Corp., the leading North American pipeline company supplying natural gas to the US and Mexico and feed-gas for projects such as LNG Canada, has announced the retirement of President and Chief Executive Russ Girling.

The CEO will step down from his posts and the board of the Calgary, Alberta-based company at the end of December.

His replacement has been named as François Poirier, currently Chief Operating Officer and President of TC Energy’s Power & Storage and Mexican divisions.

Girling will assist Poirier with the transition through February 28, 2021.

One of TC Energy’s main current projects is building the Coastal GasLink Pipeline from Dawson Creek to the Royal Dutch Shell-led LNG Canada project at Kitimat in British Columbia.

Among its many other ventures in North America, the Canadian company is a shareholder in the South Texas-Tuxpan pipeline with Sempra Energy’s IEnova. The pipeline crosses part of the Gulf of Mexico from Texas and was built at a cost of $2.5 billion for US exports to Mexico.

“On behalf of all Board members, I would like to thank Russ for his invaluable contributions to the company,” said Siim Vanaselja, TC Energy's Board Chairman.

“Over the last decade, he has led TC Energy through a period of unprecedented growth and transformation, including the development of its Liquids pipelines footprint, expansion of its Mexican natural gas pipelines business, the successful US$13 billion acquisition of Columbia Pipeline Group and advancement of North American LNG,” stated the Board Chairman.

Vanaselja praised Girling for creating “a culture of excellence” focused first on the safety of employees and those in the communities where the company operates.

“It has been a privilege and honour to lead TC Energy over the past 10 years and to be part of the extraordinary TC team,” said Girling.

“With the wisdom and guidance of the Board and the skills and tenacity of our dedicated employees, we have accomplished many things, delivered the energy critical to millions of people safely and reliably every day, and created significant shareholder value,” stated Girling.

“I am grateful for the opportunity and confident in how the Company is positioned to prosper as global demand for energy continues to grow and transition in the years ahead,” Girling concluded.

Vanaselja said he was confident in the choice of François Poirier as Girling’s successor having seen his leadership over six years at TC Energy.

“He has had exposure to all aspects of our business and consistently shown unwavering commitment to the company’s long-term success. His integrity, strategic thinking, commercial acumen and bottom-line focus will serve the Company well in the years ahead,” stated the Chairman.