Canada’s Woodfibre LNG project nears 75% completion, with start-up expected in 2027
Key Facts
Woodfibre LNG said on October 22, 2026, that its liquefied natural gas project in British Columbia was about 75% complete, with construction expected to finish in mid-to-late 2027. The update puts the facility at an advanced stage of execution, while the announced start-up date remains tied to the expectations of the company and its partners. Natural Resources Canada estimates the project’s designed capacity at 2.1 million tonnes a year, with two floating storage tanks for LNG. The company said construction and the associated Eagle Mountain pipeline had generated a broad economic impact in Canada. This comes as October data showed a slight improvement in the seasonally adjusted Ivey index, with sources drawing no link between the index and the LNG project.
According to the study cited by Woodfibre and conducted by Deetken Insight, estimated economic output from construction activity totaled C$13.6 billion across Canada. The study estimated that the activity contributed about C$7 billion to gross domestic product, alongside C$3.6 billion in labour income. These figures are estimates of construction-related impact, not operating revenue realized by the facility. The study also estimated that construction activity alone would support more than 52,000 modelled person-years of work. The estimates show the scale of economic activity associated with the project during construction, while its expected completion date remains mid-to-late 2027.
Longer-term financial estimates point to nominal government revenues of about C$11.6 billion during construction and 40 years of operations. The figure includes about C$6.8 billion for British Columbia, according to the study cited by the company. These remain estimates for the period covered by the model, not financial proceeds already realized. On marketing, Enbridge says the project has three long-term purchase agreements with BP Gas Marketing, each for 15 years. The agreements cover the facility’s full production capacity, providing purchase arrangements that extend beyond construction. The project thus combines advanced construction progress with agreements covering its full designed capacity.
Woodfibre says the facility will use electric compressors powered by renewable hydroelectricity supplied by BC Hydro, as well as floating storage units to transport LNG before export. A Natural Resources Canada report says the design includes two floating tanks, while the company describes those units as part of the facility’s arrangements. Available information about the design does not indicate a change to the planned annual capacity of 2.1 million tonnes. Nor does the equipment description point to government funding or an announced expansion of production capacity. The project’s stated scope remains based on its specified designed capacity and the storage and transport components included in the facility.
Enbridge expects the facility to enter service in 2027, while the company said construction is likely to be completed in mid-to-late that year. Enbridge owns a 30% stake in the project, compared with 70% for Pacific Energy under the partnership agreement. Canada’s energy and natural resources minister said in May that Woodfibre could begin operations as early as 2027. The minister described the project as Canada’s first industrial project to recognize a non-treaty Indigenous government, the Squamish Nation, as a full environmental regulator. The announced start-up date remains tied to the partners’ expectations as construction continues.
In Canadian data, the seasonally adjusted Ivey Purchasing Managers Index rose to 58.3 points in October from 58.2 in September, according to Reuters. The seasonally adjusted employment index also climbed to 58.3 points from 56.5, while the prices index fell to 81.7 points from 82.8, according to the Ivey Business School. By contrast, the unadjusted index fell to 56.4 points in October from 61.9 in September. The October reading was released on November 6; it describes business activity that month and provides no indication of Woodfibre’s financing or impact. The next Ivey reading is due on December 4, 2026.