LNG Canada starts flaring in preparation for new processing unit

KITIMAT, B.C. — The second liquified natural gas (LNG) processing unit at North America’s first major west-coast export facility with direct access to the Asian market is set to begin operating soon.

According to an October 6th press release from LNG Canada, planned flaring activities associated with ‘train two’ — the second processing unit at the facility — are now underway.

The flaring reportedly started on Tuesday, October 7th, and is set to last until November 10th.

The LNG Canada project is jointly owned and operated by five international energy companies — Shell Canada, Petronas, PetroChina, KOGAS and the Mitsubishi Corporation.

It is anticipated to export 14 million tonnes of LNG per annum.

One of its stakeholders, Petronas, is planning to sell 25 per cent of its stake in LNG Canada, among other assets, to American energy company MidOcean, owned by investment firm EIG Partners.

The October announcement comes several months after the first processing unit, ‘train one,’ came online in June. 

However, according to reporting from Reuters, LNG Canada is currently moving forward with train two despite several issues with train one that began in July.

Reuters initially reported technical problems were affecting the facility in late July. When asked about the issues, a company spokesperson told Reuters about “ongoing export activity at the terminal” and said earlier flaring that started in September has now ended.