Malaysia’s Petronas Celebrates First LNG Cargo Sailaway from LNG Canada Facility in Kitimat

Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas has marked a significant milestone with the sailaway of its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from the export facility in Kitimat, British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. The facility is operated by U.K.-headquartered energy giant Shell, which confirmed the initial LNG cargo export from LNG Canada last week.

The Malaysian player’s shipment departed the LNG Canada facility for Japan on July 7 aboard the 174,000-cubic meter (cbm) Puteri Sejinjang LNG vessel, signifying a momentous event for Petronas’ operations in Canada.

Adif Zulkifli, Petronas’ Executive Vice President & CEO of Gas and Maritime Business, expressed his excitement, stating: “PETRONAS’ first cargo sail away is the culmination of years of perseverance to realize our vision for Canadian LNG exports to the Asia Pacific region. We are privileged to commemorate this moment with LNG Canada, our other joint venture partners, the Haisla Nation, Kitimat community, and Canadians at large. PETRONAS is honored to be a part of this first-of-its-kind project in Canada.”

Shell, PetroChina, KOGAS, and Mitsubishi are Petronas’ partners in the project, with Shell being the operator and 40% interest owner. Petronas holds a 25% equity holding in the project through its wholly owned entity North Montney LNG Limited Partnership.

Located on Canada’s west coast, the LNG Canada facility consists of two processing units or trains with a total capacity of 14 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), which has the potential for expansion to four trains in the future.

Petronas highlights the plant’s sustainability features, designed to be one of the lowest-emissions LNG export facilities globally. It incorporates energy-efficient gas turbines, methane-leak detection and mitigation systems, and power sourced from the BC Hydro grid, predominantly powered by hydroelectric and renewable energy. The facility boasts a GHG intensity 35% lower than the existing best-performing LNG plants globally and about 60% below the global average.

When the facility was preparing to welcome the first LNG vessel in April, it was revealed that it comprises a natural gas receiving and LNG production unit, a marine terminal accommodating two LNG carriers, a tugboat dock, and LNG loading lines. Additionally, LNG processing units, storage tanks, a rail yard, a water treatment facility, and flare stacks are integral components of the plant.