TOKYO, JAPAN - While on her second Jobs and Trade Mission, Premier Christy Clark took time today to applaud the continued progress of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility near Kitimat, LNG Canada.

Shell Canada Limited, Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), Mitsubishi Corporation and PetroChina Company Limited announced today that they are jointly developing LNG Canada. Two LNG processing units near Kitimat are proposed, each with the capacity to produce six million tonnes of LNG annually.

"While B.C. is lucky to be blessed with abundant natural resources, it's also our government's smart investments in infrastructure and skills training that make us a desirable, safe harbour for investment, as we see here today with this announcement," said Premier Clark. "This brings us one step closer to having three LNG facilities up and running by 2020, a key target set out in the BC Jobs Plan."

Shell Canada Limited will hold a 40-per-cent interest in LNG Canada, with KOGAS, Mitsubishi Corporation and PetroChina Company Limited each holding 20-per-cent interests. LNG Canada would include the design, construction and operation of a gas liquification plant and facilities for the storage and export of LNG, including marine off-loading facilities and shipping.

Potential commencement of the development could occur around the middle of the current decade, pending regulatory approvals.

"The proposed LNG Canada project will need thousands of jobs during construction and hundreds of full-time, permanent jobs during operations," said Lorraine Mitchelmore, president of Shell Canada Limited. "The community would also experience the near- and long-term economic development opportunities that accompany an energy infrastructure project, as well as open up new export markets for Canada's natural gas supply."

As part of Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan, government has pledged to have at least one LNG pipeline and terminal online by 2015 and have three in operation by 2020. The government has made a commitment to help the sector grow, diversify, and establish access to new markets for B.C.'s natural gas.

The growth and diversification of the natural gas sector is a major focus of work to build on the foundation of the BC Jobs Plan to increase economic opportunities across the province.

Contact:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-7104