Spectra Energy Corp. has filed with British Columbia regulators for an environmental assessment certificate for its Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project, which would carry gas from northeast BC to BG Group’s proposed Prince Rupert LNG export facility on Ridley Island.

The filing was made at the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and includes descriptions of project elements, summaries of studies conducted to assess baseline environmental, social and economic conditions, and analysis of Project benefits.

“This marks a key milestone for our project, and a step towards growing new markets for BC’s abundant natural gas supplies,” said Doug Bloom, president of Spectra’s Canadian LNG business. “The application reflects nearly three years of Aboriginal and local community engagement, and detailed scientific, technical and heritage research and fieldwork.”

The new pipeline would begin in the Cypress area of northeast BC and end at the Prince Rupert LNG facility (see Daily GPI, June 24, 2013). The project is envisioned as a natural gas transportation corridor that can allow for up to two pipelines with total design capacity of 8.4 Bcf/d in a single right-of-way, creating an opportunity for service to multiple LNG projects in the Prince Rupert area. Service of the initial, approximately 850-kilometer and up to 4.2 Bcf/d pipeline, with project partner BG Group, is currently expected to commence around the end of the decade, pending final investment decision.

The project now enters a 30-day application screening stage, during which the EAO will determine whether it contains the required information. Once accepted for review, the 8,000-page document will be made public. The application review stage will include further opportunities for input from Aboriginal and local communities, federal and provincial agencies, and the public.