Shell Canada Products has signed a five-year deal with Canada’s Bison Transport to provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) for 15 Bison tractors in Alberta. The agreement is a first step in Shell’s effort to establish a natural gas transportation fueling network in the province.

The larger Alberta plan calls for an extensive LNG-fueled truck fleet running among Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer.

Earlier this year Shell Oil Co., a North American unit of Royal Dutch Shell, announced its support for the concept of a national highway for natural gas-fueled long-haul trucks in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with truck stop operator TravelCenters of America LLC (TA) (see Daily GPI, June 11). The MOU called for Shell to provide LNG to the fueling station operator for sale to heavy-duty truck operators.

The agreement announced Monday with Bison is being billed as the first of its kind in Canada, allowing Bison to obtain LNG from Shell Flying J publicly accessible LNG fueling facilities in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer. Those stations are scheduled to open early next year.

Bison said its LNG fleet will be operational in January. It will begin this month receiving new Peterbilt tractor trucks featuring Westport HD natural gas engines, Bison said.

Shell’s proposed LNG refueling infrastructure is intended to support an increasing number of commercial fleets. The company is constructing a liquefaction plant at its Jumping Pound facility west of Calgary as the supply source. “LNG can be a cost-effective fuel from an abundant resource of natural gas, and we believe it can help our customers build competitive advantage,” said Lorraine Mitchelmore, Shell Canada Ltd. country chair.

Trevor Fridfinnson, Bison vice president for western operations, said his company’s objective is to prove that “this alternative fuel source can be economically and practically viable.” He said LNG used in heavy-duty applications has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for each vehicle by 20%.

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