Bear Head LNG secures permit to build 8 mtpa LNG project

Bear Head LNG has secured a permit from the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) to construct its proposed 8 million tonne per annum (mtpa) LNG project.

The final approval required is anticipated to be secured from Nova Scotia Environmental Board in the second quarter of 2015.

Bear Head LNG managing director and president Maurice Brand said the project was making excellent progress with all permits and approvals with the objective that these are all completed by 30 June 2015.

"We are continuing to make very good progress on gas supply to Bear Head and are actively marketing the project with a number of LNG buyers."

The company has now secured nine of the 10 initial Canadian federal, provincial, and local regulatory approvals required to build a LNG export facility on the Strait of Canso in Nova Scotia.

After completion, the Bear Head LNG project will initially produce 8 mtpa of export LNG.

The project timing will however rely on regulatory approval, as well as contracts with gas suppliers and LNG buyers.

The facility is expected to start operations by 2019 if the regulatory process continues to go ahead without major delay.

Bear Head LNG is being developed on a 255-acre site, which features 180-acre industrial-zoned land and 75-acre deep-water acreage.

In August 2014, Liquefied Natural Gas acquired 100% of the stock and assets of Bear Head LNG from a subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum for $11m.