Canada’s Woodfibre LNG Adjusts Housing Plans [UPDATE #2]
Canada’s Woodfibre LNG, a 2.1mn mt/yr liquefaction and export terminal planned for Squamish, north of Vancouver, said October 29 it would seek environmental approvals for a new floating workforce camp – a ‘floatel’ – to house the majority of workers during the project’s construction phase.
Woodfibre has filed a proposed amendment to its environmental assessment approvals asking the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Squamish Nation to approve the plan.
“This is a project that has always put the community first,” Woodfibre CEO David Keane said. “A floatel will address concerns we’ve heard from the community over the past year about the potential impacts of using land-based camps or rental housing at a time when the Squamish market is already tight.”
Moving to a floating barge option for workforce housing would provide additional benefits, Woodfibre said, including reduced highway and marine traffic and improved safety.
The floatel will include between 400 and 600 beds, on-board kitchen and recreation facilities, sewage collection and holding tanks, garbage collection and a loading dock. Water will be recycled, waste will be carried off the vessel for disposal at an approved site and electricity will be provided from BC Hydro through an existing connection at the Woodfibre site.
The EAO’s review will include a 30-day public comment period, but the need for approvals from the three agencies won’t impact Woodfibre’s plans to make a final investment decision on the C$1.8bn (US$1.38bn) by the end of this year, a company spokeswoman told NGW.
In a related development October 29, Canbriam Energy – acquired by Woodfibre’s parent, Pacific Oil & Gas (PO&G) – announced it would change its name to Pacific Canbriam Energy, reflecting its part in the integrated natural gas value chain PO&G is building.
“The Pacific Canbriam Energy name reflects new ownership and a new purpose,” PO&G president Ratnesh Bedi said. “Integrated with Woodfibre LNG in BC, Pacific Canbriam will supply responsibly produced natural gas for export to Asian markets, and combined with Pacific Canbriam’s industry-leading water-recycling system and commitment to sustainable natural gas production, the integrated project will support growing markets, combat climate change and improve human health.”
Pacific Canbriam Energy is strategically positioned in northeast BC to supply clean Canadian natural gas to overseas markets, a goal that will be achieved through integration with Woodfibre LNG.
“Asian markets represent a tremendous opportunity for Canadian natural gas,” Pacific Canbriam Energy president Paul Myers said. “Pacific Canbriam produces some of the most responsible and sustainable natural gas in the world. Our new name and integration with Woodfibre LNG puts Pacific Canbriam in a position to make a global impact – sharing our resource to support climate change mitigation and build prosperity in growing markets.”