Kwispaa LNG reaches major milestone with filing of Project Description with provincial and federal regulators

VANCOUVER, Oct. 17, 2018 /CNW/ - Kwispaa LNG has entered the next phase of project development with the submission of the Project Description to the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office and Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. The Project Description provides a comprehensive overview of Kwispaa LNG and represents the culmination of several years of engagement and planning, the results of which have been integrated into ongoing environmental studies and engineering work.

Unique among Canadian LNG projects, Kwispaa LNG is being developed through a co-management relationship between Steelhead LNG and Huu-ay-aht First Nations. As part of this collaborative approach, the Kwispaa LNG team has been undertaking joint environmental studies and engagement with First Nations and local communities.

"From the beginning, we have believed in developing LNG projects in Canada that emphasize relationships with First Nations and respect their role as stewards of the environment," said Steelhead LNG CEO Nigel Kuzemko. "The Project Description that we have submitted to regulators reflects our shared commitment with Huu-ay-aht First Nations to provide Canadian natural gas to global markets in a way that generates long-lasting benefits to First Nations, local communities, British Columbia, and Canada."

"We are incredibly proud of the special co-management relationship that we have formed for Kwispaa LNG," said Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Robert J. Dennis Sr. "We look forward to continuing to work together with Steelhead throughout the environmental assessment process to ensure that this project achieves world-leading outcomes for the environment and our people for generations to come."

"We at Huu-ay-aht believe Kwispaa LNG represents a new model for economic success on significant projects in Canada," said Huu-ay-aht Councillor and Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Chairperson John Jack. "This project will create meaningful revenues, jobs, and business opportunities for Huu-ay-aht Citizens and our neighbouring communities, as well as generate ongoing tax revenue at a local, provincial, and federal level."

The filing of the Project Description with the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office and Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will allow them to work with Kwispaa LNG to establish the scope of the environmental assessment of the project.  Extensive First Nations and community engagement to date by Kwispaa LNG has already identified areas of particular interest, such as marine shipping, which will be a focus of environmental studies.

Throughout the environmental assessment process, there will be multiple opportunities for public participation and input. The Kwispaa LNG team will also continue to engage with First Nations, communities, and stakeholders regarding the project, and welcomes feedback and comments.

This important project milestone follows other key milestones achieved by the Kwispaa LNG team, including: a Huu-ay-aht citizen referendum strongly supporting the project and execution of project-life agreements between Steelhead LNG and Huu-ay-aht First Nations in 2017; the shortlisting of three global EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contractors and launch of a contract tendering process for Kwispaa LNG's At-Shore LNG^TM production units and onshore facilities in August 2018;  and the successful completion of an innovative contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries for the design and construction of Kwispaa LNG's At-Shore LNG^TM production unit hulls in September 2018.

Kwispaa LNG

Kwispaa LNG is a proposed Canadian LNG export facility located at Sarita Bay on Vancouver Island, British Columbia on land owned by the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. The project is being developed through a unique co-management relationship with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. The 475-hectare site provides natural deep water and is a short distance to open ocean for efficient access to market. With a final investment decision (FID) anticipated in 2020, the first phase of the project is expected to be operational by the end of 2024 and will provide capacity of approximately 12 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), with the ability to expand to 24 mtpa in the future.

Steelhead LNG

Steelhead LNG is a Vancouver-based energy company focused on developing Kwispaa LNG. Steelhead LNG's management team's experience includes guiding some of the world's leading energy companies and projects, with commercial and technical expertise that spans the entire natural gas and LNG value chain. From project concept to product delivery, Steelhead LNG is committed to responsibly creating and delivering value for the communities, suppliers, and customers that it serves.

Huu-ay-aht First Nations

Huu‐ay‐aht First Nations is a self‐governing, modern treaty nation with lands located in the Barkley Sound region on the west coast of Vancouver Island at the entrance to the Alberni Inlet. Huu‐ay‐aht First Nations is a member of the Nuu‐chah‐nulth Tribal Council and one of the five First Nations signatories to the Maa‐nulth Final Agreement, the first multi-Nation, modern‐day treaty to be concluded on Vancouver Island. In 2017, Steelhead LNG and Huu-ay-aht First Nations executed Relationship Agreements to co-manage the Kwispaa LNG Project. The agreements were approved in a Huu-ay-aht citizens' referendum, receiving a 70 per cent vote in support, as well as the overwhelming approval of both elected and hereditary leaders. With this support, Huu-ay-aht First Nations have made Kwispaa LNG a priority project.

SOURCE Steelhead LNG

Matt Skinner, Manager, Communications, Steelhead LNG, [phone], [email protected]; Heather Thomson, Communications Coordinator, Huu-ay-aht First Nations, [phone], [email protected]