Approved
Coastal GasLink route
It was important to ensure Coastal GasLink’s proposed route was the best option for not only the project, but also the surrounding communities and environment. Below is a timeline of how our route was developed, including 362,000 hours of fieldwork:
Timeline
2012 — Our team established a “conceptual corridor” based on aerial inspection, mapping and online information sources. Numerous meetings were held with Indigenous communities, local governments, landowners and community residents to gather feedback.
2013 — Over 100,000 hours of environmental and engineering field studies provided detailed knowledge of the terrain about the proposed route.
2014 — In January, we filed an application with the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) with detailed information about the proposed route. In October, after a period of public review, the BC EAO accepted our application with conditions, issuing an Environmental Assessment Certificate.
2015 — After extensive consultation with Indigenous communities in the area of the Morice River near Houston, Coastal GasLink applied for an alternate route in November. Both the approved route and the alternate route being proposed are constructible and respect the environment through which we would pass.
2016 — We received 10 permits from the BC Oil and Gas Commission, finalizing all of the major provincial regulatory approvals required for the construction and operation of the proposed pipeline and related facilities.
After feedback from Wet’suwet’en leaders, we decided to conduct field work on the potential South of Houston Alternate Route, a route that moves us even further away from cultural areas that are important to them.
Our team would like to acknowledge the positive advice and expertise that northern B.C. Indigenous communities, local governments, landowners and community residents contributed to the project. To date, more than one-third of all field work completed on the project has been conducted by Indigenous people.
2017 — Coastal GasLink filed its amendment applications for the South of Houston Alternate Route with the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and the Oil and Gas Commission in November 2017. Coastal GasLink’s consideration of a proposed alternate route was entirely initiated as a potential solution to the feedback received from Indigenous groups in the area.
In late 2014, Coastal GasLink initiated a program to provide local Indigenous groups with the opportunity to participate in field study activities, information sharing and intergenerational transfer of traditional and cultural knowledge along sections of the Coastal GasLink pipeline corridor.
After extensive consultation with Indigenous people from various groups through that program, Coastal GasLink initiated additional studies and engineering work to create the South of Houston alternate option to help further reduce effects on traditional and cultural land.
2018 — Coastal GasLink was given approval for the South of Houston Alternate Route by the Environmental Assessment Office in May 2018.
Coastal GasLink announced it will proceed with construction on the project following a positive Final Investment Decision from its partner, LNG Canada on October 2, 2018.
2019 — Coastal GasLink received approval from the Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) on May 1 of an application to amend the pipeline permit for construction of the re-routed section known as the South of Houston Alternate Route (SHAR).
On Oct. 15, 2019, the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office approved a five-year extension to the previously issued Environmental Assessment Certificate.
The right-of-way
The Coastal GasLink pipeline project right-of-way will be maintained at approximately 32 metres in width after construction is completed.
Read more about right-of-way construction and environmental considerations.
Find out more about the studies we complete before pipeline construction.
Learn how TC Energy works with landowners