Natural gas in Canada
[5] In Western Canada, the Mackenzie-Beaufort Sea and the continental slope off Vancouver Island are two areas which have undergone extensive exploration drilling and studies.
Production from the Montney has grown significantly, with natural gas volumes increasing from approximately 0.82 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2010 to 8.06 Bcf/d in 2022.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/canadian-natural-gas-prices-fall-two-year-low-storage-fills-2024-09-23/ As of 2017, Canada was the fifth largest producer of natural gas in the world with a total of 473 million cubic metres per day (16.7×10^9 cu ft/d).
[16] Across Canada, interprovincial pipelines have the capacity to carry over 1.3 billion cubic metres per day (46×10^9 cu ft/d) of gas and even more within the boundaries of the individual provinces.
RCMP enforcement actions against Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs in 2020 and 2021 at the Coastal Gas Link pipeline led to wide spread protests across the country.
[19] The industrial sector uses natural gas as a source of process heat, as a fuel for the generation of steam and as a feedstock in the production of petrochemicals and fertilizers.
In 2018, the government of Canada announced the goal of phasing out the use of coal-fired power stations in favour of less polluting alternatives for electricity generation by 2030.
Industrial consumers use LNG to smooth or peak shave the sudden lower/higher demand periods that arise due to extremely cold or warm weather.
[2] According to the International Gas Union's 2017 World LNG Report, Canada received 0.06 and 0.18 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) from Norway and Trinidad, respectively, in 2016.
According to the AUC Act (SA 2007),[49] the Commission is made up of nine members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and each hold terms of up to 5 years.
In Section 8(5), the Act outlines that the commission may make an order on appeals relating to disputes and are responsible for holding hearings and determining if utility projects are in the public interest.
[51] Additionally, the commission may demand modifications to the plans, specifications, or locations for LNG plants, before allowing a project to proceed.
[51] If the applicant wants to make minor alterations to a power plant, then the corporation must submit a Letter of Enquiry containing the need for the project, timing of construction, and environmental impacts.
[53] In order to develop an LNG fueled power plant in remote communities, utility companies need to follow a robust approval process established by the AUC.
[49] During this procedure, the utility companies are required to follow an intensive nine step process involving public consultations, hearings, appeals, and a final decision from the AUC.
The final two steps involve an appeal process for dissatisfied participants and the ultimate construction and operation of the LNG facility.
