Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) has awarded a major construction contract to Allseas for the installation of the project’s critical offshore pipeline section, marking another significant milestone for the proposed natural gas pipeline and Ksi Lisims LNG development in northern British Columbia.
According to an announcement from Western LNG, Allseas has been selected to install the subsea portion of the pipeline that will connect the onshore Prince Rupert Gas Transmission system to the planned Ksi Lisims LNG export facility near Pearse Island.
The offshore segment will span approximately 50 kilometres and includes both 36-inch and 48-inch pipeline. Once completed, it will form the final connection between the main transmission pipeline and the floating LNG export terminal.
Allseas is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading offshore pipeline construction companies and has completed major energy infrastructure projects around the globe. The company specializes in technically challenging offshore pipeline installations and will utilize its specialized vessels, Solitaire and Sandpiper, for the work.
The subsea crossing presents unique engineering challenges due to the depth of the surrounding waters, which reach approximately 450 metres in some locations. Specialized installation methods and equipment are required to safely construct the offshore pipeline while meeting environmental and regulatory requirements.
While the contract has now been awarded, offshore construction is currently planned for 2029. Awarding the contract years in advance allows engineering, planning, procurement and detailed project preparation to move forward before offshore installation begins.
The announcement represents another step forward for the overall Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project, which is designed to transport natural gas from northeastern British Columbia to the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG export facility on the province’s northwest coast.
Developers have stated that additional construction contracts for other portions of the pipeline are expected to be awarded as the project continues to advance through its development schedule.
Although this contract award is an important milestone, it does not mean full-scale construction has begun. The project must still continue through the remaining development process before construction activities expand across the entire pipeline route.
Industry observers often view major construction contract awards as a sign that project developers are continuing to invest in engineering and procurement activities as they prepare for future construction. Selecting a specialized contractor years before offshore work begins is common practice on large-scale infrastructure projects where vessel availability and technical planning require significant lead time.
The Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline is expected to play a key role in supplying natural gas to the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG facility, which aims to export liquefied natural gas to international markets. If completed, the project would become one of Canada’s major LNG export developments on the West Coast.
For Allseas, the award adds another high-profile Canadian energy project to its portfolio. For PRGT, it secures one of the most technically demanding portions of the entire pipeline system and represents continued progress toward delivering the infrastructure needed to connect natural gas production in British Columbia with future LNG export capacity.
As project planning continues, additional contract awards and regulatory milestones are expected to provide further updates on the overall timeline for the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission and Ksi Lisims LNG projects.
