Native group nears LNG deal

Developers LNG projects proposed for the Canadian town of Kitimat are nearing a settlement on a native group’s complaint over shipping traffic.

A deal would pave help pave the way for National Energy Board approval of the country’s first LNG export schemes.

The Gitxaala Nation has raised concerns that LNG carriers serving the Kitimat LNG and BC LNG Export Co-Operative projects will have a negative impact on its territory in Douglas Channel.

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Kitimat LNG operator Apache of the US is aiming to take a final investment decision by the end of the year.

The company, which has a 40% stake, is targeting a 2015 start-up of the first 5 million tonnes per annum train with expansion eventually boosting capacity to 10 million tpa.

BC LNG Export has applied for a license to ship out 1.8 million tpa to Pacific Rim markets over 20 years.

The company is jointly owned by the business interests of US oil and gas developer Tom Tatham and the 1500-member Haisla community.