SLNGaz plans to invest some $600 million in the project, which aims to provide a stable, safe supply of liquefied natural gas to industries in Quebec not served by the existing natural gas pipeline distribution network.
At its destination, the LNG will be re-gasified on-site for its immediate use by SLNGaz customers. This integrated approach, which offers businesses customized solutions, has a proven track-record, having been pioneered in Norway and used for many years throughout Scandinavia.
The SLNGaz project will bring with it many benefits to Quebec. On an environmental level, industries that replace fuel oil with natural gas will reduce their carbon footprint and will improve air quality by lowering emissions such as nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and various particulates.
The project will also create jobs. Construction of the plant alone will generate more than 250 jobs locally. In addition, 50 direct jobs will be created, 30 of which will be based in Bécancour and 20 at the company’s head office in Montreal. Moreover, the initiative will see the creation of numerous sustainable indirect jobs.
Businesses and industries across Quebec with no pipeline link to the existing natural gas distribution network will now be able to gain access to this clean and cost competitive energy source. SLNGaz will also look at exporting LNG outside of Quebec, to supply industrial customers in Atlantic and Northern Canada, as well as to customers in Europe and the United States.
SLNGaz plans to build its natural gas liquefaction plant in the Bécancour Waterfront Industrial Park.
The selection of the Bécancour site by SLNGaz was based on a number of factors. “Strategically, the Bécancour Waterfront Industrial Park offers numerous advantages. Firstly, an existing natural gas network supplies gas to the Park. Secondly, there is a deep-water port accessible year-round, and other important industrial infrastructures are already in place. And finally, we will benefit from the expertise of the Park’s managers and the area’s highly-skilled workforce,” affirmed Rodney Semotiuk, CEO of SLNGaz.
The plant will consist of two liquefaction units. A storage unit with capacity for 50,000 m3 of LNG and facilities to load the LNG onto ships will also be built.
The SNC-Lavalin Environment and Water business unit was mandated by SLNGaz to conduct a social and environmental assessment (SEIS), which took into account stakeholders’ concerns and suggestions for improvement. The study was submitted to the Ministère du Développement durable, Environnement et Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MDDELCC) in September 2014.
Consultations with the community and environmental impact study
Notice of Admissibility issued by the Quebec government
Public hearings conducted by the BAP
(if requested)
Construction of the plant and its equipment
Start-up of plant operations
