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Interruption of the LNG storage and regasifiction site project in Bécancour

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The project in brief

Gaz Métro Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Énergir, is building a liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and regasification site near the TransCanada Energy (TCE) power plant. This will enable electricity to be produced during winter peak demand periods, for the equivalent of approximately 100 hours a year.

A tank with a 20,000 m3 LNG storage capacity along with a regasification unit and related infrastructures will be built on the site of the Société du parc industriel et portuaire de Bécancour.

The site

A suitable lot for such a facility has been identified on the Société du parc industriel et portuaire de Bécancour site (lot no 7). It is adjacent to the lot of the power plant that will be served.

Transport, storage and regasification

Énergir’s liquefaction, storage and regasification (LSR) plant in east Montréal will produce the LNG that will subsequently be stored in Bécancour. The LNG will be transported from east Montréal to Bécancour by tanker truck. Prior to being injected into the pipeline connecting the Bécancour storage tank to the power plant, the LNG will be transformed back into its gaseous state in the regasification unit located at the tank's outlet.  Worth approximately $75 million, the project will create 10 seasonal and permanent jobs in Bécancour.

Purpose of the project

The project aims to supply the liquefied natural gas (LNG) required to meet Hydro-Québec Distribution's electricity needs during peak demand periods, for the equivalent of approximately 100 hours a year. Hydro-Québec Distribution has filed an application with the Régie de l'énergie. The power plant, which has not produced electricity for a number of years, will be supplied with LNG starting in winter 2019.

Based on a reliable and affordable supply of LNG, the solution will allow the Bécancour TransCanada Energy (TCE) plant to become a strategic tool for meeting the growing electricity needs of Quebecers during very cold spells.

Summary:
  • A flexible solution to meet Québec's growing electricity needs during very cold spells.  
  • A guaranteed natural gas supply to Hydro-Québec Distribution’s Bécancour power plant as of 2019.
  • A power supply equivalent to 100 hours per year (mid-December to mid-March).
  • Supplying the TCE plant with LNG stored onsite will free up natural gas transport capacity in the long term and enable greater flexibility for developing the Parc industriel et portuaire de Bécancour.

The facilities

  1. A full containtment (or equivalent) storage tank, with an operating capacity of approximately 20,000 m3 .
  2. An LNG offloading facility for the trucks.
  3. An LNG regasification unit.
  4. An approximately 20-m connection between the regasification unit and the Gaz Métro network.
  5. A metering station for the gas injected into the Gaz Métro distribution network.
  6. A control room along with the necessary equipment and security measures.
  7. A vent for discharging gas safely in an emergency.
  8. A compressor to reinject natural gas into the Gaz Métro distribution network.
  9. A metering station for evaporated gas reinjected into the Gaz Métro distribution network.
  10. An impounding basin

Project time frame

Winter/Spring 2016

 BAPE public hearings and consultation process (as needed).
Preliminary engineering.
Fall 2016/Winter 2017
 Order issued following the environmental assessment process.
Detail engineering.
Spring 2017
 Start of construction.
December 2019 Commissioning.

About Gaz Métro Energy Solutions

Gaz Métro Energy Solutions is a Gaz Métro subsidiary created to provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and regasification facilities, to meet the energy needs of its clients such as the TCE power plant in Bécancour.

Gaz Métro in brief

With more than $6 billion in assets, Gaz Métro is a major energy distributor. It is the largest natural gas distribution company in Québec, where its network of over 10,000 km of underground pipelines serves some 300 municipalities and more than 200,000 customers. Gaz Métro is actively involved in developing and operating innovative, promising energy projects, including natural gas as fuel, liquefied natural gas as a replacement for higher emission-producing energies, wind power and biomethane.

Liquefied natural gas

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the same natural gas as that used daily in Québec homes, businesses, companies and institutions.
  • When natural gas is cooled to -162 °C, it changes from a gas to a liquid. 
  • LNG is colourless, odourless, non-corrosive and non-toxic, and cannot be diluted in water.     
  • LNG takes up 600 times less space than natural gas in its gaseous state. This is a highly useful property for transport and storage.    
  • When stored, LNG remains under atmospheric pressure in a double-walled tank made from concrete and stainless steel.     
  • Natural gas does not explode but can ignite under certain conditions. To ignite, natural gas must attain a specific concentration of 5% to 15%. Above or below this flammability range, natural gas does not burn.

The advantages of natural gas for the environment

Using natural gas instead of fuel oil significantly reduces the atmospheric pollutants associated with energy consumption.
  

32% ↓ of GHGs
99% ↓ of SO2 emissions
70% ↓ of NOx emissions
70% ↓ of fine particulates 

Potential suppliers

Should Gaz Métro Energy Solutions obtain all of the necessary authorizations to carry out its LNG storage and regasification project in Bécancour, the company will be calling on the services of Québec suppliers to develop and build its facilities. As such, Gaz Métro Energy Solutions would like to gather information on companies that would be interested in bidding for contracts in the various fields needed for the project.

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Documentation - Information sessions

Bécancour, July 8, 2015

Site de stockage et de regazéification de GNL à Bécancour - Du gaz naturel accessible  et économique pour répondre aux besoins électriques de pointe (PDF)Press release - Énergir Solutions Énergie dresse un bilan positif de sa séance d'information (PDF)

Bécancour, September 23, 2015

Site de stockage et de regazéification de GNL à Bécancour - Présentation des résultats de l'analyse d'impact sur l'environnement (PDF)
Site de stockage et de regazéification de GNL à Bécancour - Sommaire des résultats de l’étude d’impact sur l’environnement (PDF)
Press release - Une deuxième séance d'information et de consultation pour Énergir Solutions Énergie (PDF)

Bécancour, April 13, 2016

Site de stockage et de regazéification de GNL à Bécancour - Séance d'information du BAPE (PDF)