LNG Canada has released its 2024 fall update, highlighting construction of its Kitimat facility is now more than 95 per cent complete, and the value of contracts and procurements awarded to businesses in B.C. has exceeded $5 billion. More than $4.1 billion of that has been awarded to Northwest and Indigenous-owned businesses.

The project remains on schedule to deliver its first cargoes by mid-2025, with over 35,000 Canadians having contributed to its development, according to the company鈥檚 report.

鈥淛ust weeks ago, we introduced natural gas to the facility for the first time, from the new Coastal GasLink pipeline. This was a major achievement for LNG Canada as we continue to progress our commissioning and safe start-up activities,鈥� said the company.

Ignition of the pilot flare marked a key step forward in commissioning and safe start-up activities, enabling the company to test and fine-tune its equipment. As part of this process, more intense flaring will occur for extended periods, with the frequency expected to decrease once full operations begin. The report did not specify when major flaring will commence, but the company said early this month it was on track to begin in the next few weeks.

While LNG Canada provided limited details on a potential Phase 2, which would double the plant鈥檚 capacity, it stated that discussions are advancing. 鈥淲e continue to work towards conditions needed for our five joint venture participants to reach a Phase 2 final investment decision.鈥�

The fall update also celebrated what is billed as Canada's most innovative fleet of zero and low-emissions tugboats, the first of which arrived last month. Operated by HaiSea Marine, a joint venture between the Haisla Nation and Seaspan, the five tugboats鈥攊ncluding three fully electric vessels鈥攚ill support the transit of LNG carriers through the region.