Moving large volumes of liquefied natural gas requires some pretty expensive infrastructure, such as large specialized carriers to transport the gas across the ocean, and receiving terminals and regasification plants at the import end.
But that’s not the only way to transport the commodity. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) can also be transported in intermodal containers. These containers, typically 20 or 40 feet long, can be used to move a variety of liquefied gases by truck, rail and container ship.
At the end of 2017, True North Energy Corp., a new Vancouver company, arranged the first export of LNG produced in B.C. to China on a trial basis.
The LNG was supplied by FortisBC (TSX:FTS) and the intermodal container was supplied by China’s CIMC Group.

“We are planning to do more this year,” said True North Energy co-founder and CEO Calvin Xu. “We are already planning a couple of units in June. Eventually we want to ramp up to 20, even 50 per shipment.”

China’s imports of LNG have been dominated by three big players – Sinopec, PetroChina and China National Offshore Oil Corp. But the country is now seeing new, smaller companies getting into the LNG import space to serve smaller industrial customers such as trucking firms.

By 2020, based on the projects already permitted and under construction, the total capacity of new receiving terminals by these second-tier players will be an estimated 5.8 million tonnes, Xu said.

“So as new players come into the markets, this creates a lot of new opportunity for a Canadian company to engage and sign new contracts,” Xu said.

Moving LNG by intermodal container allows more flexibility than shipping by tanker, since the containers can be sent to virtually any port. There are already about 3,000 LNG refuelling stations in China that could be served by smaller suppliers.

“By using [intermodal] containers, we can actually ship LNG directly from the LNG plant here all the way to the end-users,” Xu said. “What it does is create a lot of flexibility in meeting urgent demand, especially during wintertime when the market price can afford $30 [per million British thermal units]. You bet you can make some money selling LNG this way to China.”
But if True North is to develop a new market in China, B.C. will need projects like Woodfibre LNG in Squamish to be built.

Other LNG projects proposed for B.C. include Steelhead LNG, which has partnered with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations on Vancouver Island to build a floating LNG terminal.
That $10 billion project is still some years away, however. The company just recently submitted the project design to the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and would need a new pipeline to bring gas from northeastern B.C. to Vancouver Island

nbennett@biv.com
@nbennett_biv

​https://biv.com/article/2018/05/vancouver-energy-company-testing-niche-lng-market-china

Canada's first liquefied natural gas shipment to China arrived in the country Dec. 14. 
The 950-gigajoule shipment left FortisBC's Tilbury facility on Nov. 18, travelling more than 9,000 kilometres to its destination.

“It is just the beginning of the golden age of natural gas,” Calvin Xu, CEO of True North Energy, which oversaw the logistics of the shipment, said in an update on FortisBC's website.
​
“There are still huge opportunities for BC to supply LNG to China.”
True North partnered with China-based CIMC ENRIC Holdings Limited and FortisBC on the shipment.

The LNG was shipped in a single intermodal container and bypassed receiving LNG terminals and regasification plants—a route less travelled, according to the companies, one that reduced cost and infrastructure constraints of shipping by a conventional LNG tanker.

“The main advantage of shipping LNG by ISO containers is high flexibility,” Xu said.
​
“Instead of relying on dedicated LNG carriers, exporting and receiving terminals, ISO containers enable us to utilize existing container ports, ships, trucks and rails to transport the LNG.”

VANCOUVER, Nov 22 (Reuters) - British Columbia has sent its first shipment of liquefied natural gas to China, part of a pilot project to test the feasibility of small-scale LNG exports by container ship from the Pacific Coast province to global markets, FortisBC said on Wednesday.
​
The relatively small shipment of 950 gigajoules of gas, roughly 17 tonnes of LNG, is from FortisBC’s Tilbury plant in the Vancouver suburb of Delta. It was marketed and shipped by Vancouver’s True North Energy Corporation and China’s CIMC Enric Holdings Ltd.

Because the LNG is being transported by container rather than on a tanker, there is no need for massive export and import terminals. Once the container arrives in China, it can be moved by rail, truck or barge to its final destination, said Calvin Xu, chief executive of True North Energy.
​
“This creates a much more flexible source of LNG supply to the end users,” said Xu. “Buyers can import LNG directly in a small scale without having to invest in billions of dollars in LNG receiving infrastructure.”

Fortis is in the midst of C$400 million ($315 million)expansion at its Tilbury LNG plant, which will boost capacity at the facility to 250,000 tonnes per annum (TPA).

Most of that LNG will used domestically, for transport and powering remote communities, though some will be available for small-scale exports to smaller industrial users in Asia, whether on a spot basis or on long-term contracts, said Doug Stout, vice president of market development at FortisBC.

“These ISO container markets are quite attractive because they look a lot like filling tanker trucks to serve domestic markets,” said Stout.
​
Fortis is separately contemplating a larger expansion at Tilbury, which would include export facilities. While dozens of LNG export terminals have been proposed for the West Coast of Canada, so far none have moved to construction. ($1 = 1.2698 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Julie Gordon; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

​http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/b-c-s-lng-dream-comes-alive-with-first-ever-natural-gas-shipment-to-china

​SURREY, B.C., November 22, 2017 ­– Canada’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export industry recently reached a milestone with the departure of its first shipment to China in a pilot project to determine long-term feasibility. LNG was supplied by FortisBC’s Tilbury facility in Delta, logistics and equipment were provided by True North Energy Corporation and CIMC ENRIC Holdings Limited, and the cargo was shipped from Vancouver.
 
“This pilot is a small, but significant step for B.C.’s LNG export industry,” says Douglas Stout, vice-president of Market Development and External Relations, FortisBC. “At FortisBC, we are working toward changing the LNG landscape with the first of what could be many shipments from our province.”
 
B.C.’s LNG industry has been steadily moving toward this goal and, in support of this, FortisBC has invested in expanding its Tilbury LNG storage facility and in innovative solutions to transport natural gas. True North has been exploring creative ways to bring Canadian natural gas to Asia and its market approach is key to this breakthrough. By teaming up, these made-in-B.C. solutions will provide China with more access to LNG, a clean and low-cost fossil fuel displacement for coal and diesel.
 
“True North Energy is pleased to work with FortisBC, a clean energy leader, and CIMC ENRIC, a global leading LNG equipment provider and active advocator of innovative LNG logistic solutions to make the first ever LNG export to Asia from Canada. LNG is a much cleaner alternative fuel than coal and diesel,” said Calvin Xu, CEO of True North Energy Corporation. “By working with FortisBC and CIMC ENRIC, we will continue to develop a strong LNG market in Canada and abroad.”

By next year, China is projected to become the world’s second largest LNG importer. The Chinese government is stepping up its efforts in combatting air pollution and LNG imports have more than tripled in the last six years.
The country is in the midst of an ambitious effort to convert millions of homes to natural gas heaters this winter and increase the industrial use of natural gas. However, with limited reserves of its own, the country is turning to producers with abundant resources, including B.C., to deliver natural gas, which is the cleanest-burning of all fossil fuels.
 
“Our Government is pleased to see this pilot project launch its first shipment of LNG to China,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “The opportunities for good jobs as we reduce carbon emissions in the transition to cleaner fuels is just getting started.”
 
FortisBC has been liquefying natural gas at Tilbury since 1971, when the facility opened to supplement Lower Mainland supply during the coldest winter days. More recently, thanks to FortisBC innovations, natural gas is supplied to remote communities and heavy-duty vehicle fleets. Through its world-first marine bunkering process, FortisBC can also transport LNG to fuel vessels along the West Coast. These innovations helped FortisBC develop the capability to carry out this first shipment of LNG from Canada to China.
 
About FortisBC
FortisBC Energy Inc. is a regulated utility focused on providing safe and reliable energy, including natural gas, propane and thermal energy solutions. FortisBC Energy Inc. employs almost 1,800 British Columbians and serves approximately 994,000 customers in 125 B.C. communities. FortisBC Energy Inc. is indirectly, wholly owned by Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada. FortisBC Energy Inc. owns and operates approximately 48,700 kilometres of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines. FortisBC is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For further information visit www.fortisinc.com.
 
About True North Energy Corporation
True North Energy Corporation is a clean energy solutions provider and market developer. We help various energy users transition to the cleaner and more sustainable energy through developing and implementing innovative CNG/LNG supply chain, technologies, and solutions. With a combined 100+ years of experience, our team of experts provides solutions for a diverse group of clients from fleets, mines, communities to oil & gas companies both domestically and internationally. We are based in Vancouver BC and have presence in China.
For further information please visit www.tnec.ca
 
About CIMC ENRIC Holdings Limited
CIMC ENRIC Holdings Limited (Stock code: 3899.HK), a global leading player in natural gas industry, listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company is engaged in design, manufacturing, engineering services for a wide range of transportation, storage and processing equipment used in the energy, chemical logistic and liquid food industries. CIMC ENRIC owns world-class R&D centers with more than 20 subsidiaries in China and Europe. For further information please visit www.enricgroup.com/en/

(HOUSTON, TEXAS) - Transfuels LLC, doing business as Blu LNG and True North Energy Corporation recently signed a Strategic Sales and Marketing Development Agreement to advance the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in transportation and other applications.
 
Mr. Michael Zhang, President and CEO of Blu LNG of Houston, Texas and Calvin Xu, CEO of True North Energy Corp of Vancouver, BC are pleased to announce the signing of a strategic sales and marketing development agreement.  Both organizations share the vision of LNG helping to power a cleaner future.  Blu LNG and TNEC’s commitment to providing innovative and complete LNG solutions is the key to success.  They are committed to work collaboratively together to increase the viability of LNG in the trucking, mining, rail and industrial markets.
 
“We are eager to collaborate with TNEC to extend and expedite the adoption of Blu LNG product solutions in Canada.  ENN Canada, with whom Blu LNG shares a parent company has three Retail LNG Stations in British Columbia including, Merritt, Chilliwack and Grande Prairie, BC. http://www.enncanada.com.  By working with an innovative natural gas solutions provider, such as True North Energy, I’m confident we will extend our market reach and realize our vision” said Zhang.    
 
“True North Energy Corp. is very pleased to offer customers the LNG tank system and fueling solutions that Blu LNG provides.  Blu LNG is a leader in LNG application development and has demonstrated a strong commitment to the North American markets. We look forward to working closely with Blu LNG to develop a strong LNG market in Canada.” said Xu. 
 
LNG is a viable alternative energy for heavy duty vehicles and many industrial applications. By switching to LNG equipment operators can significantly reduce fuel costs, improve environmental performance, enjoy the benefits of LNG’s superior safety record to other fuels and comply with ever increasing air quality regulations.  Since 1967, LNG has maintained the highest safety record of all fossils fuels. Canada and British Columbia are abundant with natural gas.  Domestically produced natural gas is proven as a cleaner, less expensive and a reliable alternative energy to diesel.
 
About Blu LNG
Blu LNG is a total solution provider of Liquefied Natural Gas fueling solutions for trucking, mining, marine, railroad, industrial applications and more.  Blu LNG is developing the infrastructure for natural gas vehicles by designing and retailing LNG conversion kits and operating retail liquefied natural gas stations. Blu LNG’s truck lease and conversion kit programs help companies utilize the benefits of LNG.
 
About True North Energy Corporation 
True North Energy Corporation is an innovative alternative energy solutions provider. The company is actively developing turn-key natural gas solutions for on-road and off-road applications. True North Energy’s key management team has deep relationships in the transportation and natural gas industries, as well as extensive experience in alternative fuel business development. True North Energy Corporation is a privately held Canadian company based in Vancouver, BC.
 
For additional information about Blu LNG and True North Energy, please visit their websites at www.blulng.com and www.tnec.ca.

About True North Energy Corporation 
True North Energy Corporation is an innovative alternative energy solutions provider. The company is actively developing turn-key natural gas solutions for on-road and off-road applications. True North Energy’s key management team has deep relationships in the transportation and natural gas industries, as well as extensive experience in alternative fuel business development. True North Energy Corporation is a privately held Canadian company based in Vancouver, BC.
For additional information about True North Energy, please visit our website at www.tnec.ca.

True North Energy is pleased to join Surrey Board of Trade on April 12, 2016. Surrey is the fastest growing city in Metro Vancouver and is also an important trucking hub of BC. We will be actively supporting Surrey's effort to become a greener and cleaner city by advancing clean energy in the transportation sector.