TransCanada pegged for $4-billion B.C. pipeline build
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Pipeline would have an initial capacity of more than 1.7-billion cubic feet of gas per day
Vancouver—TransCanada Corp. has been selected by Shell Canada Ltd. to build a $4-billion natural gas pipeline in northern British Columbia.
The deal would see the Calgary-based company—best known for its controversial Keystone XL pipeline proposal—design, build, own and operate the Coastal GasLink project, which would intersect the westcoast province.
The pipeline would run some 700 kilometres from the gas-producing Montney region near Dawson Creek, B.C., to the recently-announced LNG Canada liquified natural gas export facility in Kitimat, B.C., southeast of Prince Rupert.
TransCanada said the build would take two to three years and create 2,000 to 2,500 jobs.
Upon completion the pipeline would have an initial capacity of more than 1.7-billion cubic feet of gas per day.
The company estimates the Coastal GasLink project will be in service toward the end of the decade, subject to corporate and regulatory approvals.
The final route of the pipeline, according to TransCanada, will be decided on with the consideration of Aboriginal and stakeholder input, as well as the environment, land use compatibility, safety and archaeological and cultural values.
TransCanada currently has about 24,000-kilometres of pipelines in Western Canada, with its B.C. operations dating back more than 50 years.
