Wedoany.com Report-May 9, Woodfibre Management, a Vancouver-based Canadian company, is preparing to seek regulatory approval for a second floating workforce accommodation unit, or floatel, for its $5.1 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project in British Columbia. The addition will support an increase of approximately 900 skilled trades jobs at the Woodfibre LNG construction site, located seven kilometers from Squamish.
Bridgemans' floatel
The company plans to moor the second floatel next to the existing MV Isabelle X, which provides live-work accommodations to minimize impacts on Squamish’s housing, traffic, and public services. Construction is ongoing, and Woodfibre LNG intends to submit an application to regulatory authorities to add the new floatel, which will undergo a thorough review process.
Luke Schauerte, CEO of Woodfibre LNG, stated: “It is clear that Canada is looking to diversify its energy markets, and when complete, Woodfibre LNG will do exactly that by making more Canadian LNG available to Asian markets. If approved, the addition of a second floatel creates more than 900 new jobs and allows Woodfibre LNG to answer the call to advance and diversify Canadian energy exports, provide more employment opportunities sooner and accelerate construction of the world’s first net zero LNG export facility.”
The need for floatel housing was formalized through an amendment to the project’s environmental assessment certificate, approved by the British Columbia government on November 1, 2023. On December 4, 2023, Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) also approved an amendment to its environmental assessment agreement to support the floatel. The second floatel will follow the same regulatory oversight process.
Woodfibre LNG has partnered with Bridgemans Services Group, a Vancouver-based company that provided and retrofitted the MV Isabelle X, to supply and operate the second floatel. Bridgemans will ensure the new unit meets the project’s net-zero goals and commitments to reduce environmental and community impacts.
Brian Grange, President of Bridgemans, said: “Bridgemans is proud to undertake the retrofit, delivery, and operation of a second floatel to the same high standards set by the MV Isabelle X. As a Vancouver-based Canadian company, it’s an honour to contribute to a project that strengthens Canada’s role in global energy. The MV Isabelle X showcases Canadian innovation and sets a new benchmark for workforce accommodation on the water.”
The Woodfibre LNG project, owned by Woodfibre LNG Limited Partnership (70% Pacific Energy Corporation, 30% Enbridge), is set to be the world’s first net-zero LNG facility by its completion in 2027. It will produce approximately 2.1 million tons of LNG annually and recognizes Squamish Nation as a full environmental regulator, a first for a Canadian industrial project.
