AltaGas securing propane for Canadian export facility

AltaGas says it has advanced its propane supply contracting efforts for the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal – expected to be the first propane export facility off the west coast of Canada – and has about 75 percent of its supply secured for the facility’s startup.

AltaGas expects about 40 percent of the terminal’s annual expected capacity to be under tolling arrangements.

The site, near Prince Rupert, British Columbia, has a locational advantage given short shipping distances to Asia, notably a 10-day shipping time compared to 25 days from the U.S. Gulf Coast, according to AltaGas. The brownfield site has ample railway access and deepwater access to the Pacific Ocean.

AltaGas’ arrangements with Ridley Terminals Inc. give AltaGas access to extensive land and water rights and a marine jetty, which allows for the efficient loading of very large gas carriers that can access key global markets. Propane from British Columbia and Alberta will be transported to the facility through the existing CN rail network. The company expects to ship about 40,000 barrels per day of export capacity from the terminal.

“We are pleased with the progress being made on [the terminal], and producers are starting to see the benefits of having access to a new premium market for their propane,” says David Harris, president and CEO of AltaGas. “We are uniquely positioned to offer energy exports to producers and are excited about the potential future growth of this business.”

Construction of the facility remains on time and on budget for startup in the first quarter of 2019, the company adds.

Photo: AltaGas