Pipeline Project in British Columbia Receives Green Light for Construction

A pipeline project being developed by NW Infrastructure Limited Partnership, a joint venture between Western LNG and the Nisga’a Nation, has received the environmental green light to continue with construction activities in Canada’s British Columbia.

The Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) project has received a substantial start determination from Canada’s British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), allowing its 2014-issued environmental assessment certificate (EAC) to remain valid.

The certificate required the project to have been substantially started by November 25, 2024, for it to remain in effect and allow construction to move forward.

The determination represents the culmination of the detailed assessment process EAO kicked off at the end of November 2024 to review construction and other project-related activities up to the substantial start deadline.

Now that the positive determination has been issued, EAO compliance and enforcement officers intend to continue to monitor the PRGT project throughout construction and operation to ensure the project meets all requirements listed in the EAC.

Indigenous Leadership and Partnership

Western LNG and the Nisga’a Nation see this as the culmination of years of planning, investment, and on-the-ground work completed to date. Gradual ramp-up of construction activities is expected in the following weeks, including conducting detailed surveys along the pipeline’s right of way.

Eva Clayton, President of Nisga’a Lisims Government, emphasized the importance of Indigenous leadership in the project, stating: “For too long, Indigenous Nations have watched resource development happen around us, instead of with us. PRGT is different—it is Indigenous-owned, Indigenous-led, and grounded in a model of partnership that puts our communities at the centre of decision-making.”

According to Western LNG, the next phase will include continued engagement with Indigenous Nations to update project agreements, share detailed construction plans, and gather feedback on management plans. The developer remains committed to meaningful dialogue, ensuring that Nations have input on the project’s future.

Environmental Impact and Clean Energy

The PRGT project, along with the Ksi Lisims LNG project, aims to provide clean and responsible Canadian LNG to meet the growing energy demands of developing countries. The projects will help reduce carbon and methane emissions resulting from longer shipping routes and older technology.

Western LNG has invested approximately $600 million in development and construction activities for the PRGT project since its inception. Construction activities in 2024 included Indigenous procurement and subcontracting opportunities, with an Indigenous employment rate three times the average for large projects in the region.

Together with Rockies LNG, Nisga’a Nation, and Western LNG are developing the Ksi Lisims LNG project, which is proposed to be connected to the PRGT project. The Ksi Lisims facility boasts a capacity of 12 million tons per year and will be one of the lowest CO2-emitting LNG projects in the world.

Future Prospects and Expansion

Pending approval from the EAO, the PRGT pipeline route terminus is set to end at the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG site on Pearse Island. This potential delivery corridor would allow Canada to reinforce its role as a secure and responsible source of natural gas.

TotalEnergies recently acquired a 5% stake in Western LNG, with the possibility of increasing its stake once certain milestones are achieved. The project is expected to reach a final investment decision (FID) in the coming years, with commercial operations anticipated to start in late 2028 or 2029.