Canada’s Steelhead LNG shortlists four EPC contractors for its Kwispaa LNG export project

Steelhead LNG, the Vancouver-based LNG export project developer, said it had narrowed the field of bidders to complete front-end engineering and design (FEED) work on the proposed Kwispaa LNG export project in Canada’s British Columbia. 

The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors include Black & Veatch / Samsung Heavy Industries / PCL Industrial Management Inc.; CB&I / Offshore Oil Engineering Co., Ltd. (COOEC); KBR; and TechnipFMC.

Steelhead LNG said in its statement it expects to issue invitations to tender in the second quarter of this year.

From there, two successful bidders will be selected to carry out FEED for Kwispaa LNG, including At-Shore LNG topsides, onshore power station, pre-rreatment and balance of plant components, starting in the third quarter of this year.

The LNG export project is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada and is licensed to export up to 24 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG for 25 years. Initial production of 12 mtpa is expected to begin in 2024.

“Our expression of interest process attracted a number of proposals from leaders in LNG facilities engineering, procurement and construction,” said Steelhead LNG Vice President, Technical Alex Brigden. “We are very pleased to have these internationally recognized EPC contractors compete to provide their expertise as we continue to progress the Kwispaa LNG project into FEED.”

Brigden also noted that Hyundai Heavy Industries has been provisionally nominated as the hull fabrication contractor for EPC of two At-Shore LNG hulls—for a total value of about $500 million—to support the initial production capacity of Kwispaa LNG.

Hyundai Heavy Industries will collaborate with successful EPC contractors to execute FEED studies.

Steelhead LNG says it ASLNG approach drives down costs by “reconfiguring proven technology of an onshore LNG plant in the most cost-effective way for the West Coast of Canada.”

Each ASLNG unit will have an LNG production capacity of up to 6 mtpa with approximately 280,000 cbm of integrated LNG storage.