Final Decision on Petronas' Canadian LNG Project Soon

Petronas is expected to make a final decision on Pacific Northwest LNG project within months.

"Depending on the timing of the CEAA (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency) decision, we would hope that by late summer or early fall we would be in a position to follow up on (a final investment decision)," Michael Culbert, president of Pacific NorthWest LNG, told Reuters in an interview.

Petronas backed Pacific Northwest LNG project has been delayed due to lack of environmental clearance. Petronas, Sinopec, JAPEX, Indian Oil Corporation, PetroleumBRUNEI and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company (MGC) are all shareholders in the project.

In March, the project got further delayed when Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency was granted a three-month extension to complete the study. Petronas and its partners have been waiting nearly three years for a permit to build the $28 billion LNG facility in northern British Columbia. 

Culbert was speaking ahead of senior management changes announced on Friday by Pacific NorthWest and Progress Energy Canada Ltd, another Petronas subsidiary, Reuters said.

Petronas Vice President Adnan Zainal Abidin will take over as president of Pacific NorthWest.

Culbert will remain as CEO of Progress Energy Canada, the company's upstream arm, while also taking on the new role of Petronas' Country Chair for Canada.