Four new, major international LNG project proposals have come forward following an Expression of Interest (EOI) by the provincial government on Crown land at Grassy Point near Prince Rupert.

Proponents who submitted an eligible EOI are:

• Nexen Inc., an international upstream oil and gas company that develops energy resources in the UK North Sea, offshore West Africa, the United States and Western Canada. Joining Nexen in its submission are CNOOC, China's largest producer of oil and gas; INPEX Corporation, a petroleum company based out of Japan; and JGC, a leading global engineering company.
• Woodside Petroleum Ltd., Australia's largest independent oil and gas company who now operates six of the seven LNG processing trains in Australia.
• SK E&S, a multi-utility player in Northeast Asia's gas and electricity business, based in Korea.
• Imperial Oil Resources Limited, one of Canada's largest corporations, and ExxonMobil Canada Ltd., the largest international oil and gas company in the world.

The new proposals join a growing list of major international proponents which have expressed interest in investing in British Columbia including, but not limited to, Shell Canada and partners PetroChina, Korea Gas and Mitsubishi; Chevron Canada with partner Apache Corporation; the BG Group; Progress Energy with partners PETRONAS and JAPEX and the BC LNG export Cooperative with Haisla Nation.

The EOI process was initiated in late February, following conversations with First Nations. The EOI was officially closed on March 18, 2013.

As part of the EOI process, proponents were asked to identify their financial capacity to build an export facility, experience with LNG operations, and plans to source the natural gas required to support LNG development.

Proponents were also asked to include a project description, plans for First Nations and community engagement and consultation, and the potential to work in collaboration with other companies.

Proposals that met the EOI criteria are now undergoing further evaluation by the provincial government to determine exactly how many projects the Grassy Point site can accommodate. Once arrangements are in place, successful proponents will be in a position to move forward with final planning and investment decisions.

The EOI is the latest action by the government to ensure the LNG opportunity continues to move forward, as part of a comprehensive LNG Strategy for British Columbia.

The Province also made a 2013 throne speech commitment to establish a BC Prosperity Fund to ensure communities, First Nations and all British Columbians benefit from the development of a new LNG industry. Over time, billions-of-dollars in new revenue will be dedicated to this fund, with a key priority of eliminating the provincial debt.

Media Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Media Relations
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas
250 952-0617