A B.C. company is part of a joint venture that has won a major contract for the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project.
The Nisga’a Nation and Western LNG say the Surerus Murphy Joint Venture will build the first segment of the new pipeline from northeastern B.C. to Ksi Lisims LNG on the north coast.
The joint venture recently built portions of the Coastal GasLink and TransMountain expansion projects, and is currently building the Eagle Mountain pipeline for Woodfibre LNG.
The two developers say Surerus Murphy was chosen for its experience and local knowledge building major infrastructure in B.C.
“This is tremendously exciting for our business and for the northeast of B.C., but also for our province,” said Sean Surerus, president of Surerus Pipeline based in Fort St. John and one half of the joint venture with U.K.-based J. Murphy and Sons.
“It’s one of the few levers we have to develop and enhance our economy in a manner that really does add value.”
Eva Clayton, president of Nisga’a Lisims Government, says the nation is committed to building the project using Canadian business and local companies. Contractors will be required to develop an Indigenous participation plan for hiring and contracting.
“When we build with Canadian companies, and those companies subcontract to local and Indigenous businesses, that means huge benefits stay right here in British Columbia,” Clayton said in a statement.
Eva Clayton, president of the Nisga’a Lisims Government, said the Ksi Lisims LNG project will bring benefits for current and future generations. (Paula Duhatschek/CBC)
Company says crews are familiar with rugged terrain
Swiss-based Allseas has been contracted to lay subsea pipeline at the end of the route.
Surerus Murphy will build approximately 193 kilometres of pipeline between Chetwynd and Mackenzie, working near Highway 97 before branching off toward the coast.
Surerus says the construction company has worked extensively in the area and crews are familiar with how to manage and mitigate construction impacts in the rugged terrain.
“It is mountainous, it is through some valleys, there are rivers and creeks and lots of features to work with. There’s a mitigation plan for each of those areas,” he said.
“The terrain type, the dynamics of winter and summer, they’re well known to us, so we don’t anticipate surprises, where an international contractor would very much be, and they have very much struggled working in Canada.”
Final investment decision targeted by end of year
Meanwhile, Western LNG spokesperson Rebecca Scott says a final investment decision on the Ksi Lisims project is targeted by the end of this year.
The proposed $30-billion export facility has so far lined up buyers for half its 12-million tonne annual output. More deals and construction announcements are expected, Scott said.
“We know the people up there are looking forward to seeing this project come through, looking forward to the opportunities,” said Scott.
“Bringing in a local company with that huge amount of experience, those relationships, really demonstrates our commitment to keeping those opportunities and benefits in the north.”
A positive final investment decision would see construction start on the facility and pipeline in early 2027.
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