The construction date of TransCanada's Coastal GasLink Pipeline project is uncertain now that LNG Canada's final investment decision has been delayed. Due to the challenges of the current global energy market, LNG Canada's joint venture participants – Shell, PetroChina, Mitsubishi Corporation and Kogas – have decided to delay a final investment decision that was planned for the end of 2016.
"They’ve assured us that the project [Coastal GasLink] is not being cancelled, but the final investment decision planned for the end of 2016 has been delayed," said Shela Shapiro, a Coastal GasLink spokesperson." At this time, they [joint venture partners] can’t confirm when the decision will be made, so construction timing hasn’t been finalized."
"We understand the rationale for the delay and we are currently working through the details of how it will impact many of our activities," she added.
Prior to this decision, Coastal GasLink expected that construction of its natural gas pipeline would begin in 2017.
Coastal GasLink proposes the construction of a natural gas pipeline from near Dawson Creek to near Kitimat, passing south of Burns Lake. The pipeline proponent estimates that 2000 to 2500 jobs would be created during construction, and 16 to 35 permanent positions would be needed during operation.