Bear Head seeks US DOE approval to export natural gas to Canada

The subsidiaries of Liquefied Natural Gas Bear, Head LNG Corporation and Bear Head LNG (USA) have sought approval to export about 440 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per year of US natural gas to Canada.

The companies have filed an application with the US Department of Energy (DOE). They are also seeking approval to export up to eight million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG from Canada to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Non-FTA nations.

The latest DOE application is in addition to a recent filing to import Canadian gas and re-export it back to the country. It also replaces the application submitted on 9 December 2014.

After securing approvals for both the applications, Bear Head will have access to natural gas supplies throughout North America, including Western Canada, and the Appalachian, Gulf of Mexico, and Rocky Mountain regions of the US.

Bear Head LNG chief operating officer and project director John Godbold said: "Our goal has been, and continues to be, to achieve a solution that bridges the North American Free Trade Agreement, US Natural Gas Act, and US Natural Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

"We have conducted considerable additional studies and analysis in order to comply with such a framework and satisfy all of the related regulatory requirements."

Bear Head is also seeking approval from Canada’s National Energy Board to export up to 8 million tonnes a year of LNG in 2019 and 12 million tonnes in 2024.