A British Columbia company has secured a significant contract for the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project as part of a collaboration. The Surerus Murphy Joint Venture, involving the Nisga’a Nation and Western LNG, will undertake the construction of the initial section of the new pipeline running from northeastern B.C. to Ksi Lisims LNG on the north coast.
With a track record of contributing to projects like the Coastal GasLink and TransMountain expansion, as well as ongoing work on the Eagle Mountain pipeline for Woodfibre LNG, the Surerus Murphy Joint Venture was selected based on its expertise and familiarity with constructing major infrastructure in British Columbia.
Sean Surerus, the president of Surerus Pipeline, expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its economic benefits for the region and the province. The Nisga’a Lisims Government president, Eva Clayton, affirmed their commitment to utilizing Canadian businesses and local firms for the project, emphasizing the advantages of supporting local economies through subcontracting to Indigenous and regional companies.
The construction company, Surerus Murphy, will be responsible for building approximately 193 kilometers of the pipeline between Chetwynd and Mackenzie before diverting towards the coast, while Swiss-based Allseas has been tasked with laying the subsea pipeline at the project’s terminus. The company’s experience in the area and adeptness at managing construction challenges in the rugged terrain were highlighted as advantageous factors for the project.
Western LNG spokesperson Rebecca Scott disclosed that a final investment decision for the Ksi Lisims project is anticipated by the year’s end. With half of the facility’s 12-million tonne annual output already secured by buyers, further agreements and construction updates are on the horizon, according to Scott. A successful investment decision would trigger the commencement of construction on the facility and pipeline in early 2027.