Documents obtained by University of Victoria air quality researcher Laura Minet reveal that the amount of gas flared at the LNG Canada facility on British Columbia’s North Coast exceeded permitted levels between October and January. According to monthly air emissions reports submitted by LNG Canada to the B.C. Energy Regulator, the flaring exceeded permitted volumes for warm/wet, cold/dry, and storage and loading sources by significant margins during the four-month period.
The LNG Canada plant in Kitimat processes natural gas into a liquid form for shipment to Asian markets. A spokesperson for LNG Canada stated that increased flaring during the early operational phase is normal, with flaring activities expected to decrease significantly during regular operations. The company emphasized that flaring is a regulated safety measure and highlighted that pollution levels in Kitimat have remained low based on public monitoring station data.
LNG Canada, owned by Shell and four Asian companies, is considering doubling its capacity in a second phase, which is undergoing a rapid review process. Despite concerns raised by environmental and health organizations regarding the health impacts of flaring emissions, the company has been transparent about flaring events and actively engaging with the local community, First Nations, and government agencies.
Laura Minet’s research on LNG facilities globally indicates that startup phases typically involve high levels of flaring, which should be considered in environmental impact assessments. The ongoing monitoring and dialogue with stakeholders aim to address concerns and ensure compliance with regulations.