Market Snapshot: Canada's LNG Landscape

Release date: 2017-07-20

Source: Canada's Role in the Global LNG Market

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What is LNG?: Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been converted into a liquid state by cooling it to a temperature of minus 162 degrees Celsius.

Why Export Canadian LNG: Canada has always been a net natural gas exporter, with nearly all exports going via pipeline to the U.S. However, U.S. demand for Canadian gas has decreased in recent years due to increases in U.S. production. LNG would create additional export opportunities for Canadian gas.

Proposed LNG facilities on Canada's west coast are close to shale and tight gas resources (e.g. the Montney, Deep Basin, and Horn River plays) that account for more than half of Canadian gas production.

Proposed Canadian LNG projects on the west and east coasts are closer to prime Asian and European markets than potentially competing facilities in the U.S., Australia, and Qatar.

The graph shows canadian natural gas exports, which all fo to the U.S., and U.S. gas exports, which so to multiple destinations. Canadian exports have been decreasing since 2007 and are projected to continue to decrease into 2025. U.S. exports of natural gas have been increasing over time and will increase rapidly from 2016 onward due to LNG exports.

LNG Milestones:

  • 1959 The first LNG tanker, Methane Pioneer, carries a cargo from Louisiana to the U.K.
  • 1965 Gaz Metro's LNG plant near Montreal begins operations
  • 1968 Union Gas' Hagar LNG liquefaction facility near Sudbury, Ontario begins operations
  • 1971 Tilbury LNG liquefaction and storage facility on Tilbury Island near Vancouver begins operations
  • 2009 Canaport LNG regasification facility in New Brunswick beings operations
  • 2011 FortisBC's Mt Hayes LNG storage facility on Vancouver Island is completed
  • 2013 First commercial LNG export by truck from Quebec to Vermont
  • 2013 Encana's Cavalier LNG liquefaction facility east of Strathmore, Alberta begins operations
  • 2014 Ferus Natural Gas Fuels liquefaction LNG facility in Elmworth, Alberta begins operations
  • 2015 Part VI of NEB Act ammended to include 40-year natural gas export licences in addition to previously allowed 25-year licences
  • 2016 Woodfibre LNG becomes first major Canadian export project to reach a final investment decision
  • 2016 Pacific NorthWest LNG project receives Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) approval
  • 2016 First overseas exports from U.S. Sabine Pass LNG terminal
  • 2017 BC Ferries unveils first LNG-powered vessel following 2015 agreement with Fortis BC

Canadian LNG Export Applications:

  • December 9, 2010 KM LNG Operating General Partnership applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A33553]
  • September 9, 2013 Jordan Cove LNG L.P. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A58981]
  • October 29, 2013 Triton LNG Limited Partnership applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A59693]
  • November 29, 2013 Aurora Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A59997]
  • January 13, 2014 Oregon LNG Marketing Company LLC applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A59998]
  • April 2, 2014 Kitsault Energy Ltd. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A75250]
  • June 20, 2014 WesPac Midstream-Vancouver LLC applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A69890]
  • July 8, 2014 Steelhead LNG (A) Inc. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A72968]
  • July 8, 2014 Steelhead LNG (B) Inc. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A72969]
  • July 8, 2014 Steelhead LNG (C) Inc. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A72970]
  • July 8, 2014 Steelhead LNG (D) Inc. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A72971]
  • July 8, 2014 Steelhead LNG (E) Inc. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A72972]
  • July 18, 2014 Woodside Energy Holdings Pty Ltd. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A65596]
  • July 28, 2014 Quicksilver Resources Canada Inc. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A70988]
  • August 28, 2014 Cedar 1 LNG Export Ltd. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A65207]
  • September 2, 2014 Orca LNG Ltd. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A71479]
  • October 24, 2014 Pieridae Energy (Canada) Ltd. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A71840]
  • October 27, 2014 GNL Québec Inc. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A72342]
  • November 6, 2014 Bear Head LNG Corporation applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A71838]
  • January 19, 2015 Stolt LNGaz Inc. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A73730]
  • February 3, 2015 Canada Stewart Energy Group Ltd. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A75003]
  • February 11, 2015 NewTimes Energy Ltd applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A75164]
  • February 11, 2015 Saint John LNG Development Company Ltd. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A72416]
  • May 26, 2015 A C LNG Inc. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A74917]
  • June 1, 2015 AltaGas DCLNG General Partner Inc., on behalf of AltaGas DCLNG Lease Limited Partnership, applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A75163]
  • July 2, 2015 LNG Canada Development Inc. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A75001]
  • February 16, 2016 Pacific NorthWest LNG Ltd. as general partner of the Pacific NorthWest LNG Limited Partnership applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A79955]
  • March 28, 2016 WCC LNG Ltd. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A78744]
  • October 27, 2016 Woodfibre LNG Export Pte. Ltd. applies for LNG export licence from NEB [Filing A84304]
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