A British Columbia company is part of a collaborative effort that has secured a significant contract for the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project. The Surerus Murphy Joint Venture, involving the Nisga’a Nation and Western LNG, will construct the initial section of the new pipeline connecting northeastern B.C. to the Ksi Lisims LNG facility on the north coast.
Recognized for its past work on projects like the Coastal GasLink and TransMountain expansions, as well as the ongoing construction of the Eagle Mountain pipeline for Woodfibre LNG, the Surerus Murphy Joint Venture was selected for its expertise and familiarity with large-scale infrastructure projects in British Columbia. Sean Surerus, president of Surerus Pipeline, expressed enthusiasm for the economic development opportunities this contract brings to the region and the province.
Eva Clayton, president of Nisga’a Lisims Government, emphasized the commitment to utilizing Canadian businesses and local firms for the project. Contractors will be mandated to create an Indigenous participation plan for recruitment and subcontracting to ensure benefits remain local.
The construction company, Surerus Murphy, will be responsible for building approximately 193 kilometers of pipeline between Chetwynd and Mackenzie, navigating challenging terrain near Highway 97 before heading towards the coast. Allseas, a Swiss company, will handle the subsea pipeline installation at the endpoint of the route.
With a focus on managing construction impacts in rugged landscapes, Surerus highlighted the familiarity of their crews with the terrain’s characteristics and seasonal variations, ensuring effective mitigation strategies are in place.
Looking ahead, Rebecca Scott, spokesperson for Western LNG, disclosed that a final investment decision for the Ksi Lisims project is anticipated by year-end. The proposed $30-billion export facility has already secured buyers for half of its annual output, with further agreements and construction updates expected in the near future.
A positive final investment decision would signal the commencement of facility and pipeline construction in early 2027, paving the way for economic growth and job opportunities for the region.