Two major modules for the Woodfibre LNG facility arrived at the project site over the weekend, marking the latest milestone in construction of the liquefied natural gas facility in Howe Sound, the company said in a press release.
The Pretreatment module and Process Utility module are the 13th and 14th modules to arrive at the site, bringing the project to approximately 60 per cent completion, according to the company.
“These modules are critical building blocks of Woodfibre LNG; both serving critical functions within the operations of our future facility,” said Luke Schauerte, CEO of Woodfibre LNG.
The Pretreatment module removes impurities from natural gas, including moisture and trace gases, ensuring the gas meets specifications required for liquefaction. According to the company, this step prevents substances such as water from freezing solid at the extremely low temperatures required to produce LNG, which could disrupt the process or damage equipment.
The module is among the largest for the facility, weighing more than 12,292 metric tonnes and measuring over 90 metres long and 47 metres high—roughly the size of a 12-storey building and nearly as long as a soccer field.
The Process Utility module provides essential systems for the LNG process, including a tempered cooling water system, a hot oil heating system, and a thermal oxidizer. The module helps maintain proper temperatures throughout the process and provides additional management for emissions reduction.
Both modules arrived aboard the specialized heavy-lift vessel, the Seaway Swan, on Saturday. After inspections, crews cut the sea welds attaching the modules to the ship’s deck and began preparing them for unloading using self-propelled modular transporters.
Five more modules are scheduled to arrive over the next few months. The company has described the project as the world’s first net-zero LNG facility.
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