National Energy Board says Mackenzie Gas Project still in public interest

CALGARY, June 2, 2016 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB, the Board) will vary the sunset clauses for the Mackenzie Gas Project's Mackenzie Valley Pipeline and Mackenzie Gathering System to December 31, 2022. The extension to the sunset clause for the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline does not come into effect until it is approved by the Federal government.

In a letter to the proponents, released today, the Board said that the project is still in the public interest and that the original conditions attached to the project will require that it be designed, constructed and operated in a way that is safe and protects the environment. The Board went on to say that the extension would allow natural gas markets the opportunity to recover and preserve potential future economic opportunities for Northerners.

Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited, applied to the Board to extend the sunset clauses on August 20, 2015. On November 9, 2015, the Board extended the sunset clauses to September 30, 2016 so the Board could consider the application. As a result of devolution, the Government of the Northwest Territories Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations (OROGO) assumed responsibility for regulating onshore oil and gas activities in the NWT, outside of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, and now regulates a portion of the Mackenzie Gathering System.

The Board and OROGO coordinated their respective reviews and invited the public to submit their comments on the requested extensions in November, 2015. The Board received comments from 14 groups and individuals, mostly in support of the application. Four of the parties opposed the extension.

Quick Facts

• The Mackenzie Gas Project is a proposal to develop three natural gas fields in and near the Mackenzie Delta, and to transport the natural gas and natural gas liquids to southern markets via a total of 1,842-kilometres of pipelines.
• The Board issued the Reasons for Decision for the MGP on December 16, 2010. There were 270 conditions including the original sunset clause which states: "Unless the NEB otherwise directs, this Certificate shall expire on 31 December 2015 unless construction in respect of the Mackenzie Gas Project has commenced by that date."
  

Associated Links

• June 2, 2016 Letter from NEB regarding Mackenzie Gas Project Sunset Clauses Extension Request http://docs.neb-one.gc.ca/fetch.asp?language=E&ID=A77339
• More information is available on the NEB website at www.neb-one.gc.ca/MackenzieGasProjectExt and on the website of the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations (OROGO) at www.oilandgasregulator.iti.gov.nt.ca/registry.

The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada's energy industry with the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment as its top priority. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest. For more information on the NEB and its mandate, please visit www.neb-one.gc.ca.

SOURCE National Energy Board

Image with caption: "Figure 1: Map showing an overview of the Mackenzie Gas Project and identifying both the National Energy Board and OROGO regulatory jurisdictions (CNW Group/National Energy Board)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160602_C2112_PHOTO_EN_705246.jpg

Sarah Kiley, Communications Officer, National Energy Board, Email: [email protected], Telephone: [phone]