The Province of British Columbia has established a regulation to ensure pipelines built to support liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities will not be permitted to transport oil or diluted bitumen.

This measure follows a commitment made by the Province earlier last year to put a mechanism in place to ensure pipelines, built to supply LNG facilities, would not transport oil or bitumen. Prior to this commitment, concerns were being expressed during environmental assessments and by First Nations about the long-term pipeline use.

The new regulation will be applied under the Oil and Gas Activities Act and prohibits the BC Oil and Gas Commission from permitting any conversion of a natural gas pipeline supplying an LNG facility.

The following six proposed pipelines are subject to the regulation and other pipelines can be added in the future:

• Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project (for LNG Canada)
• Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project (for Prince Rupert LNG)
• Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project (for Pacific Northwest LNG)
• Pacific Trail Pipelines Project (for Kitimat LNG)
• Pacific Northern Gas Looping Project (for Douglas Channel LNG)
• Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Project (for Woodfibre LNG)

British Columbia currently has 18 LNG proposals for export operations. This puts B.C. on the edge of the global natural gas export market. Development of the industry will result in unprecedented economic growth and up to 100,000 new jobs. Learn more about LNG here: http://www.gov.bc.ca/mngd/doc/1_LngCard_Lng.pdf

Quotes:

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development -

“The establishment of B.C.’s LNG industry is an unprecedented opportunity to create economic growth. This growth will be developed responsibly and this regulation will ensure pipelines will support our long-term potential in natural gas production and export.”

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

“Many First Nations want to work with the Province and proponents on major natural gas pipeline developments, but some have strong and differing views about oil or diluted bitumen pipelines. A regulation prohibiting the automatic conversion of natural gas pipelines for these purposes goes a long way to address the concerns we have heard.”

Chief Barry Nikal, Moricetown Indian Band -

“Environmental concerns are a top priority for Moricetown Indian Band because of what the land means to our traditions, sustainability and way of life. This regulation provides our community with peace of mind so that we can focus on discussing the benefits that natural gas will bring without worry that oil will flow through the pipelines.”

Quick Facts:

• British Columbia’s natural gas potential exceeds 2,900 trillion cubic feet. This potential supply could support domestic and international project operations for over 150 years.
• Today there are more than 40,000 kilometres of provincially regulated pipelines operating in British Columbia. Pipelines will connect B.C.’s natural gas supplies from the northeast to LNG facilities along the western coastline.

Learn More:

List of LNG proposals in B.C.: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/ministries/natural-gas-development/factsheets/factsheet-lng-project-proposals-in-british-columbia.html

LNG in B.C. information: www.LNGinBC.ca

Media Contacts:

Sandra Steilo
Media Relations
Ministry of Natural Gas Development
250 952-0617