In the past couple of months, LNG projects have seen their fair share of the limelight. Whether its news of municipal challenges to proposed plans, concerns over the environmental implicates by First Nations groups, uncertainty of partnerships within the oil and gas industry, or appealing to the federal government for tax breaks, LNG plant proponents are tasked with finding the appropriate solutions for their problems.
(Photo: Canada LNG Export Conference & Exhibition)
Canada is still considered a front contender for LNG export. However, the road ahead is a difficult one, laden with challenges that exporters must face, according to Neill Howard, marketing manager for the Canadian LNG Export Conference.
Speaking after the 2nd Annual Canada LNG Export Conference, Monica Ansary, event director, said, “One of the key takeaways from the conference was that not all projects will go ahead. FIDs need to be made relatively soon, before Canada’s window of opportunity diminishes altogether. Fostering relationships with Aboriginal Communities, securing a skilled workforce, implementation of a competitive tax framework and streamlining capital expenditure are just a few key factors that need to be reconciled. only when these challenges have been met will proposed projects gain feasibility and the go-ahead to join the fierce global competition.”
Petronas’ recent announcement that it may pull out of the Pacific Northwest Project just reinforces these issues, says Howard.
On September 16-18, 2014, engineers, operators, investors and government officials were invited to partake in the Canada LNG Export Conference and Exhibition in Calgary, AB. This second edition focused on the surge in proposed LGN projects and how the industry will help fuel the economy.
(Photo: Canada LNG Export Conference & Exhibition)
The Canada LNG Export Conference and Exhibition continues to bring together all major industry stakeholders to share their insights and uncover strategies for overcoming these significant challenges in order to promote LNG projects and partnerships within Canada a country with vast potential for investment opportunities and return.
With over fifty distinguished speakers, guests were treated to numerous topics to help overcome the challenges of the LNG industry at a local, national and international level. The opening remarks were delivered by Bill Cooper, President, Center for LNG, U.S.A.The advisory board, charged with developing content for the program included professionals and key players in the industry: Dr. Eva Busza, Vice President, Knowledge and Research, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada; Guy Broggi, Senior Advisor, LNG, Total Gas & Power; Jeff Kucharski, Doctoral Candidate, Kyoto University; Jose B. T. Aldon, Managing Director & CEO, AXI LNGAS Inc. & Senior Advisor, Natural Gas Business, First Gen Corp; Todd Peterson, Advisor LNG Projects, Itochu Group; Derek Thomas, Director – Strategic Technologies & Partnerships, AG&P.
(Photo: Canada LNG Export Conference & Exhibition)
There were several discussion panels looking after various interests including industry, aboriginal, regulatory, ministerial, skilled workforce, floating liquefied natural gas, global, project finance interests.
Along with the conference, attendees were also invited to the Canadian LNG Export Exhibition, which was designed for local Canadian LNG export mega project teams to interact and engage with the international supply chain, contractors, and service providers to look at technical solutions, innovations, explore business-to-business opportunities, and develop partnerships.
