TransCanada has announced that its Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) project has signed project agreements with the Takla Lake First Nation and McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB) in British Columbia, Canada.

As per the agreements, which bring the total number of project deal signed to 11, PRGT will collaborate closely with First Nations on the pipeline route work.

The latest agreements outline the the business opportunities, employment for local communities during construction phase as well as provide financial benefits.

PRGT president Tony Palmer said: "These agreements are signed after a meaningful exchange of information and ideas that not only benefit First Nations communities, but also make PRGT a stronger project."

In 2013, Progress Energy Canada selected TransCanada to design, build, own and operate the $5bn PRGT project in British Columbia.

The 900km gas pipeline will transport natural gas a point near Hudson’s Hope to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG facility at Lelu Island, off the coast of Port Edward, near Prince Rupert.

The PRGT project is expected to have an initial capacity of two billion cubic feet of gas (bcf) per day with a potential for expansion to 3.6bcf.

Along with the pipeline work, PRGT has also signed project agreements with Doig River, Halfway River and Yekooche First Nations, Gitanyow First Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Blueberry River First Nation and Nisga’a Lisims government.

Last year, the British Columbia Oil & Gas Commission (OGC) had approved construction of two sections of Prince Rupert gas transmission project.