Woodfibre LNG awards pre-construction contract to BC firm

SQUAMISH PROJECT CREATES ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL CONTRACTOR

The Woodfibre LNG Project takes a step forward today with the award of a pre-construction contract to MATCON Environmental Ltd., a BC-based civil contractor.

This contract marks the first phase of a multimillion-dollar site clean-up that Woodfibre LNG Limited is undertaking to meet health and safety, environmental and maintenance obligations in anticipation of construction of the Woodfibre LNG facility.

Over the next few weeks, phase one of the program will see workers start site remediation by removing industrial debris, such as storage tanks and other abandoned equipment, from the former pulp mill site for safe disposal.

“MATCON is pleased to be awarded this first pre-construction package for the Woodfibre site in Squamish, BC,” said Stephen Custeau, Managing Partner, MATCON Environmental Ltd. “We are excited to be involved in this brownfield remediation project and look forward to delivering the project safely and on-time, while strengthening our relationships in the region.”

Future phases of pre-construction work are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2017 pending approval of required permits. This work is anticipated to require up to 25 workers on site and will involve the removal of the pulp warehouse and contaminated soil, and thousands of creosote pilings from the foreshore.

“We’re committed to the responsible remediation of our site,” said Byng Giraud, Country Manager and Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Woodfibre LNG Limited, “and we’re pleased that this first phase of work is providing opportunities for local contractors and Aboriginal businesses.”

Woodfibre LNG expects that the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for its facility will be awarded in 2017. The pre-construction work will be completed before the EPC contractor begins construction.

The Woodfibre LNG Project is expected to result in more than 650 jobs at the peak of construction, and more than 100 jobs at the Woodfibre site, plus additional office administration positions in Squamish and Vancouver per year of operation.

About Woodfibre LNG

The Woodfibre LNG Project is located approximately 7 km west-southwest of Squamish, British Columbia. It involves the construction and operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility on the previous Woodfibre Pulp Mill site, which would have a storage capacity of 250,000 m3 and would produce approximately 2.1 million tonnes per year of LNG. Woodfibre LNG Limited is a privately held Canadian company based in Vancouver, and a subsidiary of Pacific Oil & Gas Limited, which is part of the Singapore-based RGE group of companies.

About MATCON

MATCON is a specialty contractor providing industry-leading environmental and construction services for projects across Canada and the United States. With over 20 years of construction industry experience, this privately-held company has demonstrated expertise in the areas of excavation and shoring, deep foundation and drilling works, industrial decommissioning, environmental contracting, barrier wall installation and civil infrastructure installations. MATCON’s growth has been underpinned by a strong focus on Health and Safety, technological advancement, and environmental stewardship and relationship building in the communities where we live and work.