Operations
LNG Canada meets some of the strictest regulatory standards in the world.
Safe Start-Up
As LNG Canada prepares for a safe and successful start-up, new infrastructure such as flaring stacks will become increasingly visible. Learn more about our Flaring Program.
Technical Reports
LNG Canada is committed to monitoring and reporting the effects of our activities over the life of the project, with the goal of demonstrating ongoing responsibility and responsiveness to our proposed project effects.
Permits and Research
LNG Canada’s Oil and Gas Commission Permit
The Oil and Gas Commission permit is one of the key permits required for the construction and operation of the project. LNG Canada received its permit in January 2016. We were the first LNG project in British Columbia to receive this permit, which focuses on public and environmental safety, and specifies the requirements the project must comply with when designing, constructing and operating the LNG Canada export facility.
LNG Canada’s Disposal at Sea Permit
LNG Canada received its Disposal at Sea permit in November 2015. This permit was required for LNG Canada to dispose approved dredge material at a designated location at sea. Dredging is an excavation activity carried out underwater with the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and disposing them in a different location. This ensures that waterways are wide and deep enough for the safe passage of LNG carriers entering and exiting the LNG Canada terminal.
Download Environmental Management Plans, Notices and Compliance Reports
LNG CANADA’S ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLANS
- Archaeological and Heritage Resources Management Plan
- Fisheries Act Authorization 15-HPAC-00585 Marine: Fish Habitat Offsetting Plan
- Fisheries Act Authorization 15-HPAC-00918 Workforce Accommodation Centre (FAA1): Fish Habitat Offsetting Plan
- Fisheries Act Authorization 16-HPAC-00220 LNG Facility (FAA2): Fish Habitat Offsetting Plan
- Fisheries Act Authorization 16-HPAC-01079 Supporting Infrastructure (FAA3): Fish Habitat Offsetting Plan
- Wetland Compensation Plan
IMPACT ASSESSMENT AGENCY OF CANADA (IAAC) ANNUAL REPORTS
- June 30, 2022 – LNG Canada 2021-2022 IAAC Annual Report
- June 30, 2022 – LNG Canada 2021-2022 IAAC Annual Report, Executive Summary – French
- June 30, 2021 – LNG Canada 2020-2021 IAAC Annual Report
- June 30, 2021 – LNG Canada 2020-2021 IAAC Annual Report, Executive Summary – French
- August 24, 2020 – LNG Canada 2019-2020 IAAC Annual Report
- August 24, 2020 – LNG Canada 2019-2020 IAAC Annual Report, Executive Summary – French
- June 28, 2019 – LNG Canada 2018-2019 CEAA Annual Report
- June 28, 2018 – LNG Canada 2017-2018 CEAA Annual Report
- June 28, 2018 – LNG Canada 2017-2018 CEAA Annual Report, Executive Summary – French
- June 28, 2017 – LNG Canada 2016-2017 CEAA Annual Report
- June 28, 2016 – LNG Canada 2015-2016 CEAA Annual Report
- September 15, 2015 – LNG Canada Letter CEAA 30 day Implementation Schedule
CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AGENCY (CEAA) IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULES
- June 14, 2021: LNG Canada Letter CEAA Implementation Schedule Update
- July 12, 2019: LNG Canada Letter CEAA Implementation Schedule Update
- July 4, 2018: LNG Canada Letter CEAA Implementation Schedule Update
- June 26, 2017 – LNG Canada Letter CEAA Implementation Schedule Update
- December 2, 2016 – LNG Canada Letter CEAA Implementation Schedule Update
- April 20, 2016 – LNG Canada Letter CEAA Implementation Schedule Update
- September 15, 2015 – LNG Canada Letter CEAA 30 day Implementation Schedule
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OFFICE (EAO) REPORTING
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NOTICES
- May 18, 2023 – Environmental Protection Notice – application for approval
- August 16, 2022 – Environmental Protection Notice – application for approval
- October 20, 2021- Environmental Protection Notice- application for approval
- December 23, 2020 – Environmental Protection Notice – permit amendment
- August 14, 2020 – Environmental Protection Notice – application for approval
- April 3, 2020 – Environmental Protection Notice – permit amendment
- April 3, 2020 – Environmental Protection Notice – application for approval
LNG CANADA SOCIAL MANAGEMENT ROUNDTABLE / CLISMP REPORTING
Quarterly Social Management Roundtable (SMR) Reports:
- LNG Canada May 2023 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q4 2022 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q3 2022 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q2 2022 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q1 2022 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q4 2021 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q3 2021 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q2 2021 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q1 2021 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q4 2020 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q3 2020 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q2 2020 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q1 2020 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q4 2019 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q3 2019 SMR Summary Report
- LNG Canada Q2 2019 SMR Summary Report
Annual Community Level Infrastructure and Services Management Plan (CLISMP) Reports:
TERMPOL Review
TERMPOL stands for Technical Review Process of Marine Terminal Systems and Transshipment Sites. It is a voluntary technical review of a project’s shipping route and marine terminal. The TERMPOL identifies navigational and marine transportation-related issues and provides recommendations and findings to support a safe shipping environment.
LNG Canada conducted a number of surveys, engaged with First Nations and undertook a quantitative risk analysis to prepare our TERMPOL submission for Transport Canada. Transport Canada’s TERMPOL Review Committee (TRC) reviewed the submission between March and August 2015. From this review, the TRC produced a report completed in October 2015 that is available on Transport Canada’s website. Please quote publication number TP15287E when requesting a copy. It can take up to three business days for Transport Canada to send an electronic copy once the request has been made.
LNG Canada’s TERMPOL is the first TERMPOL to engage First Nations, and the first TERMPOL to be completed for an LNG export marine terminal in British Columbia.
LNG Canada’s voluntary participation in completing a TERMPOL indicates our commitment to fully evaluating risks and putting in place mitigation measures to address project risks related to marine transportation.
Environmental Assessment
LNG Canada received its Environmental Assessment Certificate in June 2015. This followed three years of consultation to learn about local communities and their aspirations, prepare a variety of studies and ensure we have designed a project that meets or exceeds expectations.
LNG Canada’s Environmental Assessment Application covers all the major project components – the LNG facility, the shipping route, the marine terminal and the supporting infrastructure and facilities. It also included details regarding the project’s potential economic and social benefits, environmental impacts and mitigation measures to avoid or reduce those impacts.
Shipping – A Safety Record to be Proud Of
LNG shipping has one of the best records in the shipping industry: The cumulated number of LNG deliveries exceeded 116,000 in 2021, without a single cargo loss since the first commercial cargo was shipped in 1964. Shell, one of the LNG Canada Joint Venture Participants, was a pioneer in LNG marine transportation in 1964. Today, Shell safely manages a modern fleet of LNG ships and is involved in ventures that deliver 30% of the world’s LNG.
The safe transportation of LNG on B.C.’s waterways is a key concern for local communities and ourselves. We insist on operating within the strictest standards and industry best practices, on land and at sea. LNG carriers are designed and built to only transport LNG, and to very high standards. This means every safety measure in place specifically addresses the needs of LNG shipping and environmental protection.
All LNG carriers adhere to rigorous safety standards and requirements established through years of commercial LNG operations and help ensure the protection of the world’s waterways.
How Do LNG Carriers Differ From Other Marine Vessels?
LNG Ships
The LNG marine shipping industry’s safety record can be attributed, in part, to the robust and fit-for-purpose design of LNG carriers. All LNG carriers have double hulls, are insulated and use a cryogenic cargo containment system. Each of these features contributes to the ship’s overall safety and integrity. Strong international regulations, very well-defined operating procedures and over 50 years of experience, further contribute to ensuring safe operations of these vessels.
A typical LNG ship is expected to load at the LNG Canada terminal between 130,000 to 170,000 cubic meters of LNG. The fine hull form and the 12.5 m maximum draft of LNG carriers in relation to the depth within the Douglas Channel means that wakes generated by LNG carriers will be imperceptible from natural waves. At full project build-out (the completion of four LNG processing units, or “trains”), 400 LNG ships are expected to visit the marine terminal annually. This means roughly one ship arriving and one ship departing every day.
Shipping Route
The LNG carrier passage to the LNG Canada facility will involve a 294 kilometre-long voyage from the sea. Commercial shipping to the Port of Kitimat at the head of the Kitimat Arm has been well established for decades. The LNG Canada shipping route is via the Dixon Entrance, starting near the Triple Island Pilot Station and continuing via Hecate Strait, Browning Entrance, Principe Channel, Nepean Sound, Otter Channel, Squally Channel, Lewis Passage and Wright Sound before entering the Douglas Channel to Kitimat.
The Douglas Channel is wide and has very deep water right up to the shore. While in B.C.’s compulsory pilotage coastal waters, LNG vessels will have a dedicated escort tug and two certified B.C. Marine Pilots on board to ensure its safe passage to and from the LNG Canada terminal.
Shipping Schedule
LNG Canada is committed to providing information about our marine activities in the Port of Kitimat, and related safety and navigation considerations. The safety of our workforce, the community and the environment remains our top priority.
LNG Canada’s provisional shipping schedule outlines estimated timing and departure, type of vessel transiting to the project site and purpose of the visit. The shipping schedule is updated as vessels are mobilized to site.
