Another major expansion is proposed for the FortisBC plant at Tilbury in Delta.
A project description recently made public notes the second proposed phase of LNG expansion at Tilbury would increase production to improve security of supply to FortisBC’s approximately 1.1 million natural gas customers, as well as supply incremental LNG to the marine transportation and export markets.
The project comprises an expansion of up to 162,000 cubic metres of LNG storage and up to 11,000 tonnes per day of LNG production.
The project would receive natural gas through established pipeline systems.
The project, which would include a new storage tank, would also provide product to the proposed adjacent WesPac Midstream Ltd jetty project for marine LNG bunkering and export.
The Tilbury expansion project is now in the early engagement phase.
The existing FortisBC facility at Tilbury includes the original production and storage facility in operation since 1971 as well as a production and storage expansion in operation since 2018.
Detailed engineering for the latest expansion project is expected to begin in 2021, according to FortisBC.
“Alternative locations for LNG storage and/or liquefaction have been considered; however, no alternative site has been identified that provides an existing brownfield industrially zoned and LNG operating site, existing infrastructure including gas supply, access to tidewater and availability of expansion space,” FortisBC states.
A FortsBC photo of the Tilbury facility with the new storage tank in foreground and original tank in the background
“Other potential alternatives could include reduced Project size or not proceeding with certain components of the Project. Not proceeding with the storage tank component of the Project would put the natural gas supply system in BC and Greater Vancouver region at increased risk of disruption which would have significant economic and public utility customer impacts. Not proceeding with the liquefaction component of the project would result in foregoing economic opportunities and global emission reduction opportunities.”
Meanwhile, Fortis Inc. president and CEO Barry Perry yesterday thanked employees for maintaining and operating electricity grids and natural gas networks.
Perry in a news release acknowledged employees across operations in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean are maintaining and operating networks that are delivering the energy required to run essential services in their local communities through the COVID-19 crisis.
"As we continue to respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic, I want to thank our 9,000 Fortis employees for their work and dedication to ensure the electricity grid and natural gas network remains strong," said Perry.
"Like other frontline workers in healthcare, emergency services, food supply, telecommunications and crucial government services, work performed by our employees is essential. This allows our medical personnel to focus on what matters most – the health of those affected by this virus. It also allows our customers to be comfortable and secure at home during this time."
He noted Fortis is focused on the health and safety of its employees during the pandemic.
