Agreements support the development
of Canada's first Indigenous
majority-owned LNG facility and the delivery of low-emissions
energy to global markets
CALGARY, AB, April 4, 2024 /CNW/ - (TSX: ARX) ARC Resources
Ltd. ("ARC" or the "Company"), today announced it has entered into
a long-term liquefaction tolling services agreement (the
"Liquefaction Agreement") and other ancillary agreements with Cedar
LNG Partners LP ("Cedar LNG"), a partnership between the Haisla
Nation and Pembina Pipeline Corporation ("Pembina") advancing the
Cedar LNG Project (the "Project").
Under the Liquefaction Agreement, ARC will deliver approximately
200 MMcf per day of natural gas for liquefaction by the Project for
a term of 20 years commencing with commercial operations,
anticipated in the second half of 2028. The Liquefaction Agreement
is subject to a positive Final Investment Decision and other
customary conditions precedent with respect to the Project.
"Today, we take another step forward in supplying low-cost
Canadian energy to our partners overseas, bolstering energy
security and helping to reduce emissions world-wide. Located on
Canada's West Coast, Cedar LNG
will produce some of the lowest-carbon, cost-competitive LNG with
one of the shortest shipping routes to key Asian markets," said
Terry Anderson, President and Chief
Executive Officer, ARC. "We are pleased to partner with Cedar LNG,
the Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline Corporation to advance the
development of this critical project for Canada and our global partners around the
world."
"We are extremely pleased to be working with ARC Resources to
deliver Canadian LNG to world markets, given their expertise and
track-record as a responsible producer of natural gas and knowledge
of global LNG dynamics," said Scott
Burrows, Pembina's President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Working together, the Haisla Nation, ARC Resources, and Pembina
are committed to making an Indigenous majority-owned LNG facility a
reality while simultaneously being a leader in environmental
stewardship and delivering low carbon energy solutions."
The Project is located in Kitimat,
British Columbia, within the traditional territory of the
Haisla Nation. As the first majority Indigenous-owned liquefied
natural gas ("LNG") facility in Canada, the Project will provide economic and
social benefits to the Haisla Nation in support of reconciliation,
while providing opportunities for Canadians more
broadly.
"Today is the day we have been working towards in achieving our
offtake agreement with ARC Resources. ARC's commitments and values
to responsible development not only align with our Nation but with
Cedar LNG," said Crystal Smith,
Chief Councillor for the Haisla Nation.
In addition to the agreement with Cedar LNG, ARC has entered
into a non-binding Heads of Agreement ("HOA") with an
investment-grade rated company with extensive experience in the LNG
value chain, for the associated LNG offtake – the equivalent of
approximately 1.5 million tonnes per annum ("mtpa") of LNG.
- The HOA outlines the terms of an anticipated 20-year LNG sale
and purchase agreement ("SPA") for the entirety of ARC's LNG
delivered from the Project, and would commence with the start-up of
the Project. The SPA is anticipated to be finalized by year-end
2024.
- Combined with the Liquefaction Agreement, the SPA will provide
ARC access to international LNG prices for natural gas sold at
Cedar LNG.
"ARC has reached an important milestone in our strategy to
diversify and expand margins through participation in the global
LNG market," added Terry Anderson.
"The demand and level of interest in our low-emissions natural gas
from key consuming nations and global LNG counterparties is
evident. With our Agreement with Cedar LNG, we are able to achieve
our target of linking approximately 25 per cent of ARC's future
natural gas production to international pricing."
Today's announcement marks the third long-term agreement the
Company has entered into that provides exposure to foreign indices.
In 2022, ARC announced an agreement to supply 140,000 MMBtu/day of
natural gas to Cheniere's Corpus Christi Stage III expansion with
pricing linked to JKM. In 2023, the Company announced its second
agreement with Cheniere to supply 140,000 MMBtu/day to Cheniere's
SPL Expansion Project with pricing linked to the Dutch Title
Transfer Facility ("TTF").
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION & STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information (collectively referred to as
"forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable
securities legislation that involve substantial known and unknown
risks and uncertainties. The use of any of the words "plan",
"expect", "intend", "believe", "should", "anticipate", or other
similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions
"may" or "will" occur are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These statements are only predictions and actual events
or results may differ materially. Many factors could cause ARC's
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied
in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, ARC. In
particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements
with respect to, among other things: the expected volume of LNG to
be provided and the anticipated term of the Liquefaction Agreement;
the anticipated timing of commencement of commercial operations of
the Project; expectations regarding the economic and social
benefits and opportunities of the Project to the Haisla Nation and
Canadians more broadly; the anticipated terms and timing of
execution of the SPA; expectations with respect to access to
international LNG prices; and similar statements. There can be no
assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which
these forward-looking statements are based will occur.
These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks
and uncertainties including, among others: potential delays with
respect to the Project; changes to regulations and the government;
and the variability of commodity prices. With respect to
forward-looking statements contained in this news release, ARC has
made assumptions regarding, among other things, that: BC Hydro will
be able to proceed with the electrification of the Project; the
conditions precedent to the Liquefaction Agreement will be met; the
terms and conditions of the SPA will be substantially similar to
those currently contemplated in the HOA; the Project will be
completed on the timelines anticipated; the counterparties to the
Liquefaction Agreement, the SPA and the ancillary agreements will
comply with their contractual obligations; and the regulatory
regime will remain substantially similar to the current regulatory
regime. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this
news release are based upon assumptions which management believes
to be reasonable, ARC cannot assure investors that actual results
will be consistent with these forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this
news release and ARC disclaims any intent or obligation to update
publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of
new information, future events or results, or otherwise, other than
as required by applicable securities laws.
About ARC
ARC Resources Ltd. is a pure-play Montney producer and one of Canada's largest dividend-paying energy
companies, featuring low-cost operations and leading ESG
performance. ARC's investment-grade credit profile is supported by
commodity and geographic diversity and robust risk management
practices around all aspects of the business. ARC's common shares
trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ARX.
About Cedar LNG
The Cedar LNG Project is a partnership between the Haisla Nation
and Pembina Pipeline Corporation to develop a floating liquefied
natural gas facility in Kitimat, British
Columbia, Canada, within the traditional territory of the
Haisla Nation. Strategically positioned to leverage Canada's abundant natural gas supply and BC's
LNG infrastructure, Cedar LNG will be powered by renewable
electricity from BC Hydro, making it one of the lowest carbon
intensity LNG facilities in the world. More information on Cedar
LNG can be found at www.cedarlng.com.
About Haisla Nation
The Haisla Nation is the band government of the Haisla people.
Our mission is to build a powerful, prosperous and proud community,
healthy in mind, body and spirit. We believe in building a strong
and thriving community, with healthy and happy members and a
sustained and prosperous environment. We are about 1700 people,
with the majority living in Kitamaat
Village. We have lived off the land and waters of our
traditional territory for thousands of years, and it remains the
focus of all we do. We believe that careful and appropriate
economic development will bring our people necessary
self-sufficiency. Sustainable and realistic economic opportunities
are increasingly available and promise benefits for our people –
and for every British Columbian. We know that in order to attain
strength and independence our Nation must work together – with
government, business, the community, and internally – with a spirit
of respect and partnership. For more information,
visit www.haisla.ca.
For additional information on ARC's LNG strategy, please visit
ARC's website
at www.arcresources.com or contact:
Investor & Analyst
Inquiries:
IR@arcresources.com
403-503-8600
Media Inquiries:
media@arcresources.com
403-503-8600
SOURCE ARC Resources Ltd.