LNG Canada is seeking provincial approval to temporarily increase routine flaring at its Kitimat export facility.
The company has applied to temporarily increase the amount of gas it can routinely flare to a combined maximum of 230 cubic metres per minute across its four flare systems during its first three years of operation. LNG Canada says the change would not involve any new equipment or changes to the facility itself.
LNG Canada representatives outlined the proposal during a presentation to Kitimat Council Monday, July 20.
“LNG Canada is presently seeking a waste discharge authorization amendment to establish an initial flaring performance period to address the first three years of operations. This proposed amendment would allow a temporary combined routine vapor flare discharge rate of 230 meters cubed per minute across those four flares.” said Tara Barnett, Chief Corporate Relations Officer for LNG Canada.
Reid Person, an air quality engineer with Stantec, said the proposed limit was developed using several months of operational data and is intended to be a conservative upper limit rather than an expected operating level.
“The 230m³ per minute value is believed to be a precautionary or conservative value and suitable as a basis of both the discharge limit and an effects assessment,” Person said.
As part of the application, LNG Canada completed an air quality assessment using dispersion modelling to predict changes in pollutant concentrations at ground level. Person said the modelling evaluates the air people breathe and accounts for factors such as stack height, terrain and weather conditions.
According to LNG Canada, the study found little to no change in air quality from the proposed increase in flaring. The company also said the height of the flare stack and the heat from the flames help carry emissions higher into the air, allowing them to disperse before reaching the ground.
LNG Canada says it has also implemented a flare minimization program and is continuing work to reduce flaring through operational improvements and the replacement of the warm wet flare tip.
The proposed amendment is currently under review by the B.C. Energy Regulator.
