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Ksi Lisims LNG, which is a joint venture of the Nisga’a Nation, Rockies LNG, and Western LNG, announced the agreements with the Metlakatla First Nation, Gitxaala Nation, and the Lax Kw’alaams Band in separate statements.
The benefits agreement with the Metlakatla First Nation includes “support for climate initiatives and sets out business opportunities intended to utilize Metlakatla’s existing expertise and strengthen capacity to deliver long-term benefits to the community and support economic independence,” Ksi Lisims LNG said.
Metlakatla First Nation and Prince Rupert Gas Transmission, the natural gas pipeline co-owned by the Nisga’a Nation that will service Ksi Lisims LNG, have also amended their existing project agreement to reflect developments since the agreement was first signed in 2015, it said.
In addition to the benefits agreement, Gitxaała Nation also signed a project agreement with PRGT.
These agreements include financial provisions, business and workforce opportunities, and support for climate initiatives, Ksi Lisims LNG said.
The benefits agreement with the Lax Kw’alaams Band includes “procurement opportunities which build on the Lax Kw’alaams Band’s existing business capacity and interests in order to maximize meaningful participation, long-term benefits, and support sustainable economic development.”
“As part of signing the benefits agreement, the Lax Kw’alaams Band has withdrawn its federal judicial review of Canada’s decision statement in connection with Ksi Lisims LNG’s environmental assessment certificate,” the JV said.
Lax Kw’alaams and PGT also amended and modernized their existing project agreement to reflect developments since the agreement was first signed in 2017.
Ksi Lisims LNG said it looks forward to working with the First Nations as the “parties continue to work toward a final investment decision, expected before the end of 2026.”
LNG deals
These agreements come shortly after Ksi Lisims LNG signed preliminary deals with two German firms.
Uniper and Ksi Lisims LNG just signed a letter of interest (LoI) outlining key commercial terms for a pending supply and purchase agreement.
The SPA would see Uniper purchase 2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG on a long-term basis.
Uniper could start receiving first volumes of LNG as early as 2032.
Moreover, Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE) signed a preliminary deal with Ksi Lisims LNG.
Under this heads of agreement, SEFE plans to purchase 1 mtpa of LNG for 20 years on a free-on-board basis from Ksi Lisims LNG. The deliveries are expected to begin in the early 2030s.
Pending FID by the project co-developers, construction could begin by early 2027.
The partners plan to produce 12 million tonnes per annum of LNG from two nearshore floating production facilities, which will have integrated storage with an aggregate capacity of about 450,000 cbm of LNG.
Ksi Lisims LNG signed the first long-term offtake deal with a unit of LNG giant Shell in January 2024.
Under the 20-year SPA, Ksi Lisims will supply 2 million tonnes of LNG per year on a free-on-board basis to Shell Eastern Trading.
Last year, French energy giant TotalEnergies signed a 20-year deal with KSI Lisims LNG to buy 2 mtpa of LNG for 20 years from the future liquefaction plant.
In addition, TotalEnergies will also take a 5 percent stake in Western LNG, the developer, shareholder, and future operator of the Ksi Lisims LNG project.
US-based private equity firm Blackstone also invested in Western LNG.