LNG Canada's shipment of refrigerants has arrived in Prince Rupert and is awaiting transport to Kitimat. This marks a significant milestone in the commissioning and startup of its liquefied natural gas export facility.

The refrigerants, essential for cooling the natural gas delivered via the Coastal GasLink pipeline, are expected to arrive in Kitimat this week aboard the ocean tanker Gaschem Atlantic. The tanker began its journey from the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, passing through the Panama Canal before anchoring at the Port of Prince Rupert in early August. From there, the refrigerants will be unloaded at the LNG Canada marine terminal.

Once the refrigerants are running through the system, the process for flaring and startup procedures can proceed. With over 90 per cent of Phase 1 complete, the project is on track to begin this month, although a spokesperson cautioned technical and regulatory considerations will ultimately determine the exact timing.

Refrigerants will help minimize flaring during startup. Once operational, LNG Canada will produce its own refrigerants. 

Last month the final weld on the first production train at the LNG Canada site also marked a significant phase as the facility transitions toward startup. The commissioning process is expected to take 12 months before transitioning to normal operations, with current preparations focusing on finalizing utility systems and readying the plant for gas intake, which is currently held at the Kitimat metering station.

The company expects to ship its first LNG cargoes by mid-2025.