A study of the feasibility, benefits, and risks of the use of natural gas in the Canadian Arctic
Climate change is impacting the Arctic environment and the economy. As the Arctic Ocean’s sea ice melts, new marine shipping routes are open, creating questions as to how to best balance the use and protection of these ecologically sensitive waters.
The Arctic Marine Natural Gas Supply Chain Study, led by the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance (CNGVA), VARD Marine, and Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping (Clear Seas) with support from Transport Canada’s Innovation Centre, are investigating the feasibility, benefits and risks of the use of natural gas to replace some or all of the current diesel and heavy fuel oil used in the Canadian Arctic. This switch could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25%, and other criteria air contaminants, such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide, by 80% or more.
The project will explore all issues associated with the development of a natural gas marine supply chain for the Canadian Arctic, capable of supplying natural gas fuel to vessels, coastal communities, mines, and other businesses in a region with limited infrastructure and high environmental sensitivity. The project will include full analysis of the environmental benefits and risks, cost estimation for vessels (new-builds and conversions), assessment of the payback periods and rates of return on investments, strategies for the development of infrastructure, and means of dealing with regulatory and other concerns.
While the project is presented as a stand-alone proposal, it will build on two earlier and highly successful projects involving CNGVA, Transport Canada-Innovation Centre, and others in assessing natural gas use on Canada’s west and east coasts.
Project’s Perspective-Gathering Workshop
On January 25 and 26, 2022, Clear Seas held a virtual roundtable to help chart a future for marine shipping and the use of natural gas in the Canadian Arctic. The workshop brought together 40 people – participants and speakers – representing a range of opinions and perspectives from Traditional Knowledge to Western science.
Workshop Highlights
An overview of the event and the main viewpoints shared by the speakers is available here.
Workshop Speakers, Presentations and Recordings
Day 1
- Opening remarks – Meghan Mathieson, Director of Strategy & Innovation, Clear Seas
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- Welcome and introductions – Lisa Koperqualuk, VP of International Affairs, Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada
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- Overview of the Canadian Coast Guard in the Arctic – Neil O’Rourke, Assistant Commissioner, Arctic Region, Canadian Coast Guard
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- Arctic Shipping Traffic Changes: Health and Environmental Impacts – Dr. Nicolien van Luijk, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Ottawa
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- Case for Banning Heavy Fuel Oil in the Arctic – Andrew Dumbrille, Lead Specialist, Marine Shipping and Conservation, Wild Wildlife Fund Canada
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- Climate Risks of Using LNG as a Marine Fuel – Bryan Comer, Marine Program Lead, International Council on Clean Transportation
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- What is LNG? – Jorge Lobo, Senior Manager, LNG Commercial and Industrial Projects, Fortis BC
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- LNG as a Baseload for Renewables – Calum McClure, CEO, Cryopeak
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- Arctic Shipping Risks to Ecology and Socio-Cultural Impacts – Erin Abou-Abssi, Director of Policy, Oceans North
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- LNG a Fuel in Transition – Adi Aggarwal, General Manager, SEA/LNG
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- Operation of LNG Powered Vessels in the Canadian Arctic – Chris King, Director of Operations, Group Desgagnés
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Day 2
- Arctic Marine Natural Gas Supply Chain Study: Project Overview – Bruce Winchester, Executive Director, Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance
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- LNG as a Ship Fuel for the Arctic: Results – Andrew Kendrick, Vice-President, Vard Marine
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- Supplying LNG for Ships and Potential to Replace Diesel as an Energy Source: Preliminary Findings and Environmental Tradeoffs (task 3 & 4) – Andrew Miltimore, Mechanical Engineer, Vard Marine
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- Human Resources Opportunities and Challenges for LNG Use in Marine Applications and the Supply Chain (task 5); Regulatory Challenges Impacting Supply Chain and Marine Operators (task 6) – Andrew Kendrick, Vice-President, Vard Marine
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- Project Next Steps and Remaining Tasks – Bruce Winchester, Executive Director, Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance
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- Discussion
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Published July 19, 2021
Last modified on March 1, 2022
