In the world’s race for cleaner energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Canada has an advantage. 

It comes with a smaller footprint to start with — the lowest emissions intensity of LNG projects in the world. But why?  

Canada leads among countries able to export natural gas to displace coal, with LNG that has a demonstrably cleaner environmental footprint. 

This was affirmed by regulators in Washington state in 2019, when the permit for the new Tacoma LNG project included the requirement for it to source natural gas specifically from B.C. or Alberta.  

The Puget Sound Clean Air Authority found natural gas from Canada to have a cleaner footprint than natural gas produced in the United States, stating that methane emissions in the U.S. “may be as much as five times higher than those from Canada.”  

The Tacoma LNG project will enable container ships that transport goods between Washington state and Anchorage, Alaska to switch fuel from diesel to natural gas, and displace diesel used in the Puget Sound area electrical grid during periods of high demand.  

Globally, Canadian LNG exports are expected to replace coal power, primarily for growing markets in Asia, particularly China and India.  

Switching from coal to natural gas for electricity generation reduces emissions by half on average, according to the International Energy Agency. LNG from Canada can deliver an even bigger decrease, reducing emissions by up to 62 per cent, according to a June 2020 study published in the Journal for Cleaner Production.  

“Not all LNG is created equal,” researchers with the University of Calgary and University Toronto wrote in report presented at the industry event GeoConvention 2021. 

They compared the emissions intensity – or emissions per unit of LNG – of the LNG Canada terminal that is under construction at Kitimat, B.C. with American competitors, finding a lower footprint for the Canadian project. 

The global average emissions intensity for LNG is 0.35 per cent CO2 per tonne, according to Oxford Energy Institute. Once operating after 2025, LNG Canada is expected to have emissions intensity of less than half that, at 0.15 per cent CO2 per tonne.  

Proposed Indigenous-led project Cedar LNG would have emissions intensity of 0.08 per cent, and Woodfibre LNG, which recently received the go-ahead to proceed, would have emissions intensity of 0.04 per cent.  

There are four key reasons why Canada has the advantage: shorter shipping distances to customers, a colder climate, the use of hydroelectricity, and methane emissions reduction. 

1. Colder climate 

The process to create LNG from natural gas in cold climates is comparably easier than in warmer regions, saving energy and reducing emissions, the University of Calgary and Toronto researchers noted.  

For example, the average temperature in Kitimat, B.C. is much cooler (7°C) than the U.S. Gulf Coast (e.g.: 22°C in Corpus Christi, Texas), they wrote. 

2. Shorter shipping distances 

West Coast LNG projects in Canada are about 10 shipping days from Asia, compared to 20 days for shipments from the U.S. Gulf Coast that transit the Panama Canal, according to Natural Resources Canada.  

Proposed projects in Eastern Canada are 6 to 8 shipping days from Europe, the shortest distance of any North American LNG projects, NRCan says.  

Less time for LNG tankers in the water means less fuel use and lower greenhouse gas emissions.  

3. Use of hydroelectricity 

More than half of Canada’s electricity comes from hydropower, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the country’s power grid, according to the Canada Energy Regulator.  

LNG projects are expected to connect to the grid to use hydroelectricity to fuel either part or all of their operations, particularly as the new Site C project in B.C. comes online and makes more hydropower available.   

4. Methane emissions reduction 

Canada’s oil and gas producers are leaders globally in reducing methane emissions.  

CEC research found that between 2000 and 2018, methane emissions from Canada’s oil and gas sector fell by 16 per cent. Compare that to China and Russia, where methane emissions increased by 133 per cent and 47 per cent, respectively, at the same time. 

The Government of Canada expects oil and gas producers to meet the target of reducing methane emissions by 45 per cent in 2025 compared to levels in 2012.   

A reduction of 34 per cent compared to 2014 has already been achieved in Alberta.   

Canada’s LNG could be preferred in the world, says Greg Owen, vice-president with Calgary-based GLJ Ltd.   

“With our environmental and regulatory standards, I think we have a great LNG product. So let’s get it done.”   

The unaltered reproduction of this content is free of charge with attribution to Canadian Energy Centre Ltd.