MILL BAY – Steelhead LNG is pleased to announce it has signed an agreement with Höegh LNG, for Höegh LNG and Bechtel to perform the pre-front end engineering and design (pre-FEED) work for its proposed Malahat LNG project. The Malahat LNG project consists of floating natural gas liquefaction and export facilities located on the shoreline of Malahat Nation-owned land, approximately eight kilometres south of Mill Bay, BC, on the east coast of Vancouver Island.
Höegh LNG is recognized world-wide as the leading provider of floating LNG solutions. The company owns and operates a fleet of nine vessels globally, five floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) and four LNG carriers (LNGCs), with an additional three FSRUs under construction. The company has more than 40 years of LNG operating experience and an impeccable safety track-record. Bechtel is one of the world’s most experienced EPC contractors in the LNG sector. The company is responsible for about 40 per cent of the world’s liquefaction capacity under construction today, including four projects in Australia and the Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi liquefaction projects on the Gulf Coast of the United States. Bechtel is also developing the first offshore floating LNG facility in the United States, off the coast of Louisiana.
“This agreement is a reflection of our commitment to developing projects to the highest technical and environmental standards,” said Nigel Kuzemko, CEO, Steelhead LNG. “Together, Höegh and Bechtel provide Malahat LNG with a unique combination of experience and expertise in maritime operations and the design and construction of LNG facilities.”
The pre-FEED work, which will commence immediately, and run through to Spring 2016, will include Proof of Concept studies for developing floating LNG production/storage/offloading facilities for up to 6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG at the proposed site. Further, the pre-FEED work will include establishing a Basis of Design appropriate to support the FEED Phase. Engineering design and studies undertaken through pre-FEED will also support the environmental assessment and facilities permitting processes.
“The awarding of Malahat LNG’s pre-FEED engineering work to Höegh LNG and Bechtel, experienced providers of specialized services in the LNG sector, is a reflection of the importance Malahat Nation and Steelhead have placed on making sure the design of the Project is appropriate environmentally and technically for the Saanich Inlet,” said Lawrence Lewis, CEO, Malahat Nation. “We look forward to working with them as the proposed Project moves forward.”
Through its founder and main shareholder, Leif Höegh & Co, Höegh LNG has nearly 100 years of maritime operations experience and is internationally recognized for its commitment to safety and environmental responsibility. Höegh LNG places a strong emphasis on technological development and operational excellence, and has an excellent safety record. The company has been at the forefront of developing environmental friendly floating solutions. Höegh’s regasification vessels were also awarded the “Green Ship Technology Award” by the Green Ship Technology Conference and Lloyds List Asia’s “Ship of the Year Award” in 2010.
“We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Steelhead LNG for their proposed Malahat LNG project,” said Sveinung J. S. Støhle, President and CEO of Höegh LNG. “We are confident in the strong market fundamentals of the global LNG sector as well as Steelhead’s Canadian project, and look forward to working closely with Bechtel and Steelhead to deliver a cost-effective LNG solution that fully addresses the environmental and technical aspects of the Project.”
“The Bechtel team will apply its extensive offshore and LNG technical and execution knowledge and experience and 40 years working in Canada to develop Malahat LNG,” said Joe Gebara, General Manager of Bechtel’s Offshore Business Line. “We are looking forward to working with Steelhead LNG, the Malahat Nation and Höegh LNG as we develop this exciting project.”
The pre-FEED engineering agreement for Malahat LNG represents another significant milestone for Steelhead LNG and the proposed Project, which was announced on August 20 by Kuzemko, Malahat Nation Acting Interim Chief Tommy Harry and Lawrence Lewis. It was followed on September 1st by the announcement of a pre-construction agreement with Williams’ subsidiary Northwest Pipeline.
