Heritage Gas wants adequate access to the sole pipeline into Atlantic Canada

Heritage Gas has expressed demand to access the sole pipeline into Atlantic Canada when and if liquefied gas export terminals are approved in the region.

The subsidiary of AltaGas says if the proposed East Coast projects by Pieridae Energy Ltd., Bear Head LNG and the Saint John LNG Development Co. Ltd. are approved it would like assurances there is enough space in the pipeline.

Heritage Gas president Chris Smith says as offshore natural gas supplies to the Maritimes are depleted in the next few years, the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline operated by Spectra Energy could be a key source of supply.

Steve Rankin, manager of external affairs at Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline, says the company would ensure existing customers are still served and that adding shipments to export terminals could actually lower the overall costs of using the pipeline.

Mark Brown, a spokesman for Pieridae Energy, says it’s possible the export projects would also encourage the development of natural gas projects in the region and ultimately increase local supply.