Meet our Prime Contractors: Pacific Atlantic Pipeline Construction (PAPC)

Over the past few months, we have been introducing our four prime contractors. In this final installment of the series, we introduce Pacific Atlantic Pipeline Construction (PAPC).

In 2018, Coastal GasLink selected PAPC to construct sections 6 and 7 of the 670-kilometre project. In selecting our prime contractors, we sought out highly qualified companies that met our core principles for safety, environmental stewardship and stakeholder engagement.

We caught up with Doug Lougheed, Principal Consultant, Regulatory and Compliance at PAPC to chat about the work his company is doing on the Coastal GasLink Project.

Can you tell us a bit about your company?

While Pacific Atlantic Pipeline Construction (PAPC) is new to Canada, building large-diameter pipelines is one of our areas of expertise. PAPC is a Canadian subsidiary of Bonatti Group, an oil and gas general contractor based in Italy. In the last ten years, we have laid over 4,000 kilometres of pipe around the world, which amounts to approximately one per day.

We are committed to ensuring the health, safety and well-being of all employees, contractors and sub-contractors on this project.

Through ongoing commitments to thorough investigations, effective and suitable corrective actions, development of project specific safety plans, coaching and mentoring, and a commitment to a collaborative approach to health and safety initiatives, PAPC will continually assess the effectiveness of its planning efforts, while opening the opportunity for employee feedback ensuring the safe and successful execution of this project.

Two years-ago PAPC was awarded a contract to construct sections 6 and 7 on the Coastal GasLink Project and our ongoing commitment to safety will be at the forefront of every step of executing this opportunity in a new market. Our mandate of “Safety First” trumps everything we do, and it is absolutely paramount that all members of the project are committed to putting “Safety First” as we do our part in creating this extraordinary project.

How important to PAPC is hiring local, including First Nations?

It’s very important to us that we maximize the participation of First Nation and local communities in the project. From the time we were selected, we have been working to source local suppliers, to gain an understanding of capacity and communicating the training and employment requirements for the opportunity to work on this very exciting project with us. The economic summits have been very successful in terms of allowing us to connect with local businesses and available labor pool. Through these events, we’ve been able to help people understand what we need in terms of services and skill sets to match opportunities with available positions and contracts on the project.

I think the economic summits have been a win-win for PAPC and everyone involved in the Project and those wanting to participate in the Project including local and First Nation communities.

What is the terrain like in sections 6 and 7?

PAPC is constructing sections 6 and 7 of the overall 670-kilometre project, which start around Burns Lake and runs 166km west to near Houston approximately. Access to the project right-of-way is excellent due to the fact there has been significant forest harvesting in the area, which results in excellent road access.

While it is not the most difficult terrain on the project, it will certainly have its challenges. For example, we will be crossing the Morice River, which will require a trenchless crossing so as not to disturb the water quality, fisheries and habitat in the Morice River. Protecting the local environment is a key commitment on this project and something we take very seriously.

What excites you and your company about being involved in this project?

We are very excited to be involved in this project. It will bring tremendous benefits to local communities and suppliers throughout British Columbian who will support the project infrastructure. It’s not just direct pipeline construction jobs it’s about all the spin-off third party services, restaurants, and local businesses which stand to benefit from this project for many years to come.

More information

Coastal GasLink is proud to be building a project that will employ thousands of people across British Columbia. To learn more about employment opportunities and our Prime Contractors, visit our Employment page.