Marinvest Energy Canada Inc and the Atikamekw Nation-led Kino Aski Inc have formed a partnership to pursue a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project with a capacity of 15 million metric tons per annum (MMtpa), which would be catered to Europe.
“In a period of global energy instability, Kino Aski LNG will establish a reliable, secure, short-distance energy corridor between North America and Europe”, a joint statement said.
Feed gas will be supplied by Western Canada and transported to the Port of Baie-Comeau via existing and new pipelines.
The facility will use renewable power from Quebec. “The gas will be certified for low methane emissions, meeting Europe’s demand for cleaner, more secure energy supplies”, the companies said.
“This project will support the shared goal of building a stronger transatlantic energy partnership between Canada and the European Union”.
Kino Aski would be the majority owner with Marinvest as a minority investor. “This structure places First Nations at the centre of the project’s governance, financing, design, construction, and operations, while inviting international energy industry partners to provide expertise and invest alongside Canadian partners to secure a European energy supply”, the statement said.
The proposed project has yet to initiate any regulatory process. “Discussions with governments, communities, and industry partners are ongoing”, the statement said.
Earlier Ksi Lisims LNG LP and Uniper SE announced an agreement for the long-term supply of Canadian LNG to Germany. German power and gas utility Uniper will buy two MMtpa of LNG from the British Columbia project for up to 20 years on a free-on-board basis. Deliveries are to start 2032.
“This milestone marks the first major long-term LNG supply arrangement between Canada and Germany and represents a significant step in strengthening the strategic energy partnership between both countries”, said a joint statement July 29.
The project, with a planned capacity of 12 MMtpa, is expected to become operational 2029. It would rise on Indigenous land about nine miles west of the Gingolx village, a strategic location for integration with proposed pipeline routes and access to overseas markets, according to the joint venture. Ksi Lisims LNG is a partnership between the Nisga’a Nation, Rockies LNG Partners and Western LNG.
“The LNG sales agreement that we have entered into today with Uniper is our first with a European utility, and the beginning of an important long-term relationship between our companies”, said Western LNG CEO Davis Thames.
Earlier another German company, state-owned SEFE Securing Energy for Europe GmbH, signed a preliminary agreement to purchase one MMtpa for up to 20 years from Ksi Lisims LNG. Deliveries for SEFE would begin in the 2030s.
“After signing LNG contracts with Argentina, the Middle East and the USA, we are proud to announce our first long-term LNG agreement with Canada”, SEFE said May 27. “This partnership gives us the flexibility to deliver cargoes to any destination, thus further enhancing the resilience and diversification of our portfolio for the benefit of our global customers”.
Two more European companies have agreements to buy from the project.
TotalEnergies SE has committed to buying two MMtpa for 20 years. Concurrently the French integrated energy company also agreed to acquire a five percent stake in Western LNG, the project’s designated future operator.
“This acquisition grants TotalEnergies the option to increase its stake in Western LNG and/or take a direct stake in the plant up to approximately 10 percent when the final investment decision is made”, TotalEnergies said May 19, 2025.
Britain’s Shell PLC announced January 8, 2024 an offtake of two MMtpa for 20 years.
On June 9, 2026 Ksi Lisims LNG said it had executed “benefits agreements” with Indigenous groups that help pave the way for investors to sanction the project by yearend.