Kitimat | Northwest Coast Energy News

Kinder Morgan buys US natural gas pipeline company in $21 billion dollar deal

Kinder Morgan, the giant oil pipeline company, which has proposed building a second bitumen pipeline from Alberta to Kitimat, Sunday announced it was buying El Paso Corp, America’s largest natural gas pipeline operator.

The Associated Press says the deal is worth $20.7 billion, Bloomberg says it is worth $21.1 billion.

Kinder Morgan already operates a pipeline from Alberta through British Columbia to the port of Vancouver and there are plans to expand that pipeline.

Kinder Morgan’s move comes after Enbridge also said it was interested in moving into the natural gas pipeline business. Both companies are moving to take advantage of the natural gas found in shale deposits and the growing demand for natural gas in both North America and Asia.

Bloomberg says:

The takeover is the largest ever proposed of a pipeline company, surpassing the 2007 leveraged buyout of Kinder Morgan itself by a group including Richard Kinder and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. The combined company would have 67,000 miles (107,000 kilometers) of gas lines and eclipse Enterprise Products Partners LP as the biggest U.S. pipeline operator.

“This once in a lifetime transaction is a win-win opportunity for both companies,” Kinder, who will be chairman and chief executive officer of the combined company, said in the statement. He said the deal, once closed, would create immediate shareholder value because of its cash flow.

The Associated Press says

Kinder Morgan will more than double the size of its pipeline network by purchasing El Paso. The new pipeline system would stretch 80,000 miles — long enough to wind around the globe three times. Kinder Morgan’s pipelines in the Rocky Mountains, the Midwest and Texas will be woven together with El Paso’s expansive network that spreads east from the Gulf Coast to New England, and to the west through New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California.

“We believe that natural gas is going to play an increasingly integral role in North America,” said Richard Kinder, Kinder Morgan Inc.’s chief executive, said on Sunday when the deal was announced.

Robert McFadden, a Houston-based natural gas pipeline consultant, said the expanded network will make it easier to move natural gas from new fields that have mushroomed across the U.S. in the past few years.

The take over deal came on the same weekend that the “Occupy” movement was demonstrating around the world against the greed of financial institutions.

Reuters reports that:

The investment banks advising on Kinder Morgan Inc’s $21 billion purchase of El Paso Corp are set to rake in a total of $100 million to $145 million in M&A fees, according to Freeman & Co on Sunday.

Evercore Partners and Barclays Capital , which are advising Kinder Morgan on the deal, would earn $45 million to $65 million in fees, Freeman estimates show.

Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs , which are on El Paso’s side, would split another $55 million to $80 million in fees, depending on the role they played, the estimates show.

Kitimat LNG, Rod and Gun to consult on “legacy” fish and wildlife program at Bish Cove: NEB

Bish Cove, site of the KM LNG (Kitimat LNG) natural gas terminal, photographed on a stormy Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011. (Robin Rowland/Northwest Coast Energy News)

KM LNG (also known as Kitimat LNG) will consult with the Kitimat Rod and Gun club about creating a “legacy” fish and wildlife program at Bish Cove, according to the National Energy Board decision that granted an export licence for liquified natural gas to the partnership.

As part of its consideration of the social, economic and environmental aspects of the project, the NEB noted:

The Kitimat Rod and Gun Association requested that KM LNG and its partners establish a fish and wildlife “legacy” program for the area. In response, KM LNG committed to working with the Kitimat Rod and Gun Association to explore a partnership and stated it and its partners are committed to investing in the communities where KM LNG operates. KM LNG noted it already supported some community initiatives and would set aside funds to support others, after a positive investment decision.

KM LNG has hired the energy services company KBR to do a front end engineering and evaluation study of the project which is expected to be completed in December. The partners will then make the decision whether or not to go ahead with the project.

Mike Langegger of the Kitimat Rod and Gun, who made the presentation to the hearings in June, says the club has had some preliminary talks with the KM LNG public relations staff but so far there have been no formal talks about the legacy program.

In its presentation to the NEB, Kitimat Rod and Gun said it would ask KM LNG for a legacy fund that would be $7.25 million over the twenty-year period of the export licence. The money would be used to preserving fish, wildlife and habitat in the area around the natural gas terminal

Langegger says while it is uncertain if KM LNG will agree to the complete proposal, no matter what the outcome he wants all stake holders to be involved, with they are “consumers” (hunters and anglers) or “non-consumers” (naturalists) so that the habitat is maintained.

NEB decision on KM LNG application(PDF)

Kitimat Rod and Gun submission to NEB (PDF)

NEB approves KM LNG export licence

Energy

The National Energy Board has approved KM LNG’s (also known as Kitimat LNG) application for an natural gas export licence.

A NEB news release says:

The National Energy Board (NEB or the Board) today approved an application by KM LNG Operating General Partnership (KM LNG) for a licence to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Kitimat, British Columbia to markets in the Asia Pacific region.

The export licence authorizes KM LNG to export 200 million tonnes of LNG (equivalent to approximately 265 million 10³m³ or 9,360 Bcf of natural gas) over a 20 year period. The maximum annual quantity allowed for export will be 10 million tonnes of LNG (equivalent to approximately 13 million 10³m³ or 468 Bcf of natural gas).

The supply of gas will be sourced from producers located in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. Once the natural gas has reached Kitimat by way of the Pacific Trail Pipeline, the gas would then be liquefied at a terminal to be built in Bish Cove, near the Port of Kitimat.

The construction and operation of the pipeline and the terminal will require provincial regulatory decisions.

This is the first application for an LNG export licence that the Board has considered since the de-regulation of the natural gas market in 1985.

In approving the application, the Board satisfied itself that the quantity of gas to be exported does not exceed the amount required to meet foreseeable Canadian demand. The exported LNG will not only open new markets for Canadian gas production, but the Board believes that ongoing development of shale gas resources will ultimately further increase the availability of natural gas for Canadians.

Prior to approving the licence, the Board considered environmental and related socio-economic effects of KM LNG’s application. These effects included matters related to marine shipping, and the proposed LNG terminal and Pacific Trail Pipeline.

The Board also acknowledges the potential economic benefits associated with KM LNG’s project. These benefits include employment opportunities due to the development of the LNG terminal and the Pacific Trail pipeline.

Kitimat mayor Joanne Monaghan said, “I am glad they got it, because now the project can move forward.”

KM LNG is owned by Apache Canada Ltd. (40 per cent), EOG Resources Canada Inc. (20 per cent) and Encana Corp. (20 pre cent). The Front End Engineering for the LNG terminal at Bish Cove is now underway. The companies say a final investment decision will be made in early 2012.

A news release from Apache said:

“The Kitimat LNG project represents a remarkable opportunity to open up Asia-Pacific markets to Canadian natural gas and we’re leading the way in being able to deliver a long-term, stable and secure supply to the region,” said Janine McArdle, Kitimat LNG President. “This export licence approval is another major milestone for Kitimat LNG as we move forward and market our LNG supply. LNG customers can have even more confidence in a new source of supply.”

“Today marks a historic day for Canada’s natural gas industry and this is fantastic news for our project and the communities where we operate. Kitimat LNG will bring revenues and jobs and the associated benefits to Canada,” said Tim Wall, Apache Canada President. “The Kitimat LNG partners are very pleased with the NEB’s approval of our export licence and we’d like to thank them for their support and confidence in the project.”

Text of NEB Decision on KM LNG(pdf)

Kitimat LNG on the agenda at Houston conference

Energy

The Kitimat LNG projects have been added to a conference on LNG exports in Houston, Texas on December 1.

Zeus Events, the commercial organizer of the conference tweeted this morning “Kitimat #LNG Export project added to N. American LNG Exports conference.”

The conference agenda describes the presentation this way:

Kitimat LNG Export Project Update
Kitimat LNG Project, Speaker TBA

Apache is developing the most advanced LNG export project in North America at Kitimat, British Columbia. Construction is expected to begin in early 2012, with operations to start in 2015. The representative has been asked to describe the project and provide an update, discussing what it will mean for British Columbia gas producers.

The conference website describes it as:

Proposals to liquefy and export North American gas as LNG have grown more numerous and controversial since our 2010 conference. At last count, ten liquefaction and export projects have been proposed on both coasts of North America. Analysts warn, however, that the United States is preparing to export its clean, abundant natural gas to countries like China, where it will be used for transportation fuel, while the U.S. will continue to import high-cost crude for its transportation.

This year’s conference will expand on our 2010 meeting to address political issues such as FERC’s willingness to approve export plant construction permits as well as examine new proposals. Costs, political hurdles and regulatory issues will be discussed.

The Oregon projects, seen by analysts at the June National Energy Board hearings as Kitimat’s chief rival are also on the agenda at the conference.

Northern Gateway Pipeline will benefit all Canadians, Daniel says

Energy Link

Enbridge CEO Patrick Daniel, writing on the Troy Media site says Northern Gateway Pipeline will benefit all Canadians

With the second largest proven
petroleum reserves in the world, Canada may like to flatter itself that
it is a global energy superpower, but it’s not true.

It could be. One day it might be. But it is not an energy superpower yet…

The Enbridge Northern Gateway
pipeline project, which will run from Edmonton, Alberta, to Kitimat,
British Columbia, is one step on the road to Canada becoming an energy
superpower. With Northern Gateway we will be able to safely move energy
to the West Coast, open new markets for Canadian petroleum and create
thousands of construction and supplier jobs as well as significant
permanent employment right across Canada.

Kitimat, B.C.: Ground zero in the race to fuel Asia: Globe and Mail

Energy Environment

The Globe and Mail Report on Business has a major report on Kitimat, LNG and pipelines

Kitimat, B.C.: Ground zero in the race to fuel Asia

A green light for the Kitimat LNG project could see the rapid establishment of a regional export hub, one that major global energy players are keen to join. By the end of this decade, three billion cubic feet a day of gas could flow through Kitimat – equal to all of B.C.’s current production and close to 20 per cent of Canada’s current output.

Bitumen or no bitumen? That is the question in the pipeline

Energy

On Thursday, Enbridge CEO Patrick Daniel told Reuters that the company “would prefer to supply natural gas to the Kitimat liquefied natural gas plant in British Columbia over any other export project in western Canada.”

That immediately raised a question in the northwest is Enbridge thinking of replacing the Northern Gateway bitumen pipeline with a natural gas pipeline? Or is it planning two pipelines?

So far Enbridge has not responded to a request from Northwest Coast Energy news for clarification.

This afternoon, Jeff Lewis writing on Alberta Oil’s website in Another suitor sidles up to Kitimat LNG says:

No word yet on whether Tim Wall, the CEO of Apache Canada Ltd., is keen to take on another partner for the massive development. (The Reuters report has Enbridge building a natural gas line in conjunction with its proposed Northern Gateway line, which is to be twinned with a pipe for importing bitumen-thinning condensate from the coast; there’s no mention of sending natural gas west on the Gateway website).

But the question still remains. The Reuters report actually isn’t that clear on whether it will be a bitumen pipeline twinned with a natural gas pipeline or a natural gas pipeline substituted for the bitumen pipeline.

Here is what Reuters said.

Enbridge plans to build a natural gas pipeline along the route of the proposed Gateway oil line, which would transport natural gas from Horn River and other natural gas fields to the coast by 2016, Daniel said.

There is already speculation and rumour in Kitimat about the Enbridge announcement. Environmental activists have long feared that there would be a twinning of the two projects, while many people sitting on the fence were willing to accept liquified natural gas but not bitumen.

If there is any truth to the rumours circulating in Kitimat, there may be more corporate announcements after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend that will make the situation a little clearer.

Enbridge plans natural gas pipeline along Northern Gateway route

Enbridge CEO Pat Daniel has told Reuters in New York that the company would prefer to supply natural gas through Kitimat to Asia “over any other export project” and that Enbridge plans to build a natural gas pipeline along the route of the
proposed Northern Gateway bitumen pipeline.

Pat Daniel was interviewed by Reuters reporter Edward McAllister. In a story with a New York place line the agency reports:

Pipeline operator Enbridge Inc
would prefer to supply natural gas to the Kitimat liquefied natural gas
plant in British Columbia over any other export project in western
Canada, the company’s chief executive told Reuters on Thursday.

Enbridge is interested in joining one of two proposed Canadian LNG
projects to ship natural gas to Asia, it said this week, as ample North
American supply pushes gas prices far below global levels.

But the location of Kitimat has attracted Enbridge more than Royal Dutch Shell’s potential project in Prince Rupert, also in British Columbia, company head Patrick Daniel said in an interview.

“Kitimat is the preferred project. Pipelining into Kitimat is
relatively straight forward compared to Prince Rupert, which is the
other proposed port,” Daniel said, though talks continue with both
projects…..

Enbridge plans to build a natural gas pipeline along the route of the
proposed Gateway oil line, which would transport natural gas from Horn
River and other natural gas fields to the coast by 2016, Daniel said.

A window of opportunity opens in Japan for Canadian LNG: Alberta Oil

Energy

Alberta Oil magazine says in A window of opportunity opens in Japan for Canadian LNG

Nuclear outages in Japan continue to stoke demand for delivering Canadian gas to the Far East. Look for oil- and natural gas-fired generation to offset a precipitous drop in atomic capacity as maintenance work at plants, combined with public safety pressures, keeps a fleet of 54 reactors from running at full capacity, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says. Japan’s nuclear reactors normally account for 27 per cent of the country’s electricity demand, but only 16 were online in August, five months after a massive earthquake rocked the coastal city of Sendai and sent officials scrambling in search of alternatives to the atom.

The country is one of several potential sales destinations for a suite of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals taking shape on Canada’s West Coast at Kitimat, British Columbia. Two of the most advanced proposals, including a 10-million-tonne capacity project led by Apache Canada Ltd. and another, smaller co-operative that would ship 1.8 million tonnes abroad annually, are both seeking 20-year export licenses from the National Energy Board….

Not enough bitumen production to support both Northern Gateway and Keystone XL consultant says

Energy

Bloomberg news reports that a Calgary based energy research company believes Enbridge’s Oil Sands Project Is Years Early

Enbridge Inc., Canada’s largest pipeline operator, wouldn’t need to build the Northern Gateway project to export Alberta’s oil-sands crude for almost a decade if TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL is approved this year, according to IHS CERA, an energy research company.

The 732-mile (1,177-kilometer) Northern Gateway pipeline would pump 525,000 barrels a day from near Edmonton, Alberta, to the port of Kitimat, British Columbia, where crude would be loaded on tankers bound for Asia. The line, scheduled to start in 2017, would reduce Canadian dependence on U.S. markets and compete with the Keystone XL, designed to pipe 700,000 barrels a day to refineries in Texas along the Gulf of Mexico by 2013.

Jackie Forrest, a director of global oil at IHS CERA, said there won’t be enough oil sands production to support Northern Gateway’s launch even if, as she expects, Keystone XL approval helps the output double in 10 years to 3 million barrels a day.

The Bloomberg article goes on to quote one analyst who believes the Northern Gateway fight will get a lower profile than the Keystone XL.

Northern Gateway faces opposition from environmentalists and Indian groups because it passes through the Great Bear Rainforest and raises the risk of supertanker oil spills in the Douglas Channel. However, the Canada-only route may make the project less prominent than Keystone XL, which has drawn protests from celebrities such as Daryl Hannah and Margot Kidder, who played Lois Lane in several Superman movies.

“Northern Gateway would be an all-Canadian fight and thus perhaps could be less sensational and muscular, think Canadian Football League vs. U.S. NFL, but nonetheless might get very contentious,” Judith Dwarkin, chief energy economist for ITG Investment Research, wrote in an e-mail from Calgary.

Approval of the Keystone XL may not be the slam dunk that some in the Calgary oil patch believe. As Konrad Yababuski reports in The Globe and Mail in Keystone XL: More about the politics than the petroleum

Proponents of the TransCanada Corp. project, which would double the amount of Alberta crude flowing south, now fear that President Barack Obama will give in to pressure from the base of the Democratic Party to nix the pipeline.

With Mr. Obama’s approval rating sliding to a record low – leading more than half of Americans to think for the first time that he will be a one-term President – the White House needs to bring every stray Democrat it can find back into the fold before the 2012 election.

The progressive wing of the Democratic Party has been feeling particularly unloved by this White House. Killing the Keystone XL project would be a powerful way for the administration to show its renewed affection.

Which means of course if President Barack Obama does kill Keystone XL to keep his base happy, there will be more than enough bitumen sands for the Northern Gateway pipeline.

Editor’s note: Disclosure. I have always liked the CFL game, with three downs and the bigger field over the NFL, so the analogy is probably apt in describing the contentious Northern Gateway debate, a more wide open and interesting struggle.