Petronas said Tuesday it was pulling out of its Can$36 billion ($28.8 billion US) liquefied natural gas exporting project on Canada's west coast long opposed by environmentalists and native rights activists.

The Pacific NorthWest LNG project was greenlighted in September to build a pipeline and two liquefied natural gas terminals on Lelu Island, British Columbia, an area home to a huge nature preserve and wild salmon habitat.

Each of the two plants would liquefy some six million tonnes of natural gas per year, with the possibility of adding a third gas terminal at a later date.

The pipeline built by the operator TransCanada would have had to cross 900 kilometers (560 miles) of British Columbia between Hudson's Hope and Lelu Island.

But lagging natural gas prices and other changes in energy markets contributed to the about-face from the Malaysian energy giant and its partners.

The project planned for the district of Port Edward was nixed after "a careful and total review of the project amid changes in market conditions," a company statement said.

"We are disappointed that the extremely challenging environment brought about by the prolonged depressed prices and shifts in the energy industry have led us to this decision," said PNW LNG board chair Anuar Taib.

"Petronas and its North Montney Joint Venture partners remain committed to developing their significant natural gas assets in Canada and will continue to explore all options as part of its long-term investment strategy moving forward."

A number of First Nations and environmental groups sued the federal government and Petronas unsuccessfully to try to stop the project.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had justified his decision to okay the project by pointing to the need for economic growth, and stressing that the project would be environmentally sustainable and responsible.

Tweet

Reduced Saudi oil imports lead U.S. oil inventories lower
Washington (UPI) Jul 25, 2017
Low imports of crude oil from Saudi Arabia, coupled with firm domestic petroleum demand, will likely reduce U.S. oil inventories, analysts said Tuesday. U.S. commercial oil inventories are expected to fall in the week ending July 21, analysts surveyed by S&P Global Platts said in a report. U.S. crude oil stock has fallen nearly 19 million barrels in the past three weeks, as excess surpl ... read more

Related Links
All About Oil and Gas News at OilGasDaily.com

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only