The NEB decision, however, is subject to the Governor in Council approval.
As per one of the five approved licenses, Steelhead LNG will export up to 6 million tons of LNG for 25 years from the Malahat LNG which is planned to include a floating liquefaction and export LNG terminal.
Malahat LNG is planned to be built south of Mill Bay on Vancouver Island, Canada. As per the remaining four 25-year licenses, the company will to export up to 24 million tons of LNG from the proposed LNG project, which is currently under feasibility phase.
Steelhead LNG and its partner Huu-ay-aht First Nations are exploring the proposed LNG project on Huu-ay-aht land at Sarita Bay, 75km southwest of Port Alberni on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Steelhead LNG CEO Nigel Kuzemko said: "We welcome this decision by the National Energy Board, which represents a significant milestone for our company and our projects.
"While these developments and the regulatory approval by the NEB are being well received in the global LNG marketplace, we recognize that we are still at the beginning of a long process that will see us engage and work closely with First Nations, government, communities, residents and regulators to secure the environmental and regulatory approvals we need for our projects to continue to move forward."
In August, Steelhead LNG and the Malahat First Nation have announced the completion of a mutual benefits agreement and long-term lease supporting the proposed Malahat LNG development.
For the Malahat LNG project, Steelhead LNG signed an agreement earlier with Williams subsidiary Northwest Pipeline to design the proposed natural gas pipeline to Vancouver Island.
Steelhead LNG also signed a deal with Höegh LNG and Bechtel to undertake the pre-front end engineering and design work for Malahat LNG.
The $30bn Sarita Bay LNG project includes construction of a gas pipeline from northern BC, to Huu-ay-aht territory, as well as a liquefaction facility in Sarita Bay, and a processing facility.
Image: Announcement of Malahat LNG Project at Malahat Nation’s Kwunew Kwasun Cultural Resource Centre on 20 August. Photo: courtesy of Phil Ives.
