Norway's Marinvest Energy pitches LNG project in Quebec
Known as the Marinvest Energy LNG Export Project, the proposal includes building floating offshore platforms and a liquefaction plant in Baie-Comeau. A pipeline spanning several hundred kilometres would also be required to connect the new facilities to TC Energy Corp.'s TRP-T Canadian Mainline, a major pipeline carrying natural gas from Western Canada to Eastern Canada and into the U.S.
The proponent is Marinvest Energy Canada, a subsidiary of Marinvest Energy AS based in Bergen, Norway. Its chief operating officer, Greg Cano, said in a written statement there's a 'strong business case' for the project, which would export LNG globally, particularly to Europe.
News of the project was first published on Friday by Montreal newspaper Le Devoir. Basic details, including its cost, how it will be financed, who would design and construct it, and even where proposed facilities would be located, were unavailable. Marinvest Energy AS's website does not disclose information about the project, nor its leadership or partners, nor any previous projects they have executed.
'We are currently at the very early stage of the project,' Mr. Cano wrote.
'For the time being, we are focusing on meeting with various stakeholders and partners, including First Nations communities.'
LNG Canada starts exports to Asia and explores pathways to expansion
Keith Stewart, senior energy strategist at Greenpeace Canada, said his organization began hearing rumours earlier this year of a pipeline proposed near the north coast of the St. Lawrence River. Greenpeace representatives confirmed those rumours during a recent meeting with Quebec's environment minister.
Mr. Stewart added that Greenpeace representatives in Norway told him Marinvest Energy AS is not a major player in that country.
'They wouldn't have the money for a project like this,' he said.
'It looks like what they're trying to do is get government backing for the idea, and then go out and raise the money.'
Mr. Stewart said Greenpeace Canada is concerned the federal government might include the project on a list of projects deemed to be of national interest, which could exempt it from traditional requirements such as permits and environmental reviews. It also fears the project could obtain large federal subsidies.
Province says it is open to reviving GNL Quebec gas facility project amid U.S. tariff threats
Karine Otis, chief executive officer of Baie-Comeau Port Management Corp., said Marinvest contacted the port authority less than two months ago.
For the past five years, the port authority has sought to create a hub for energy products and raw materials. For example, a German company known as Hy2gen plans to produce ammonia at an industrial park near Baie-Comeau, with construction set to begin in 2027.
'LNG was not part of this vision until Marinvest came,' Ms. Otis said, and the port is not planning an LNG terminal. But she added that the project could be a good fit in the hub, provided the port can ensure it occupies the least space possible, shares common utilities and other infrastructure with other tenants, and minimizes environmental impacts.
'It's a matter of, is this project feasible financially? Is it viable? Is it needed for our governmental authorities, and is it acceptable? If it is, the port will do what's necessary to accommodate that project.'
Another proponent, GNL Quebec, had previously proposed a $9-billion natural gas liquefaction complex in Saguenay, Que., with an annual production capacity of 11 million tonnes of LNG for export to Europe and Asia.
That project – which would have included a 780-kilometre pipeline connecting it to TC Energy's Mainline – was blocked by Quebec's government in 2021, and by the federal government the following year. Greenhouse-gas emissions and impacts to beluga whales in the St. Lawrence were identified as concerns.
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