Proposed Bear Head LNG plant bought for $11M by Australian company

Australia-based Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd. announced Monday it is purchasing a potential natural gas export site in Nova Scotia from a subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corp. for $11 million.

The company says the deal to buy the Bear Head LNG project outside Port Hawkesbury, N.S., is scheduled to close at the end of next month.

Andrew Younger, Nova Scotia's Minister of Energy, said the purchase is great news for the province's rural economy.

"This is a great step toward making Nova Scotia an LNG export destination and represents a tremendous opportunity for rural economic development," Younger said in a statement on Monday.

"LNGL chose … Nova Scotia because of our proximity to the world's major markets, our established regulatory regime, and the support displayed by Nova Scotians for these types of projects."

The 100-hectare site includes land zoned for industrial purposes and there are two foundations in place for LNG tanks.

Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd. said the project could lead to exports of LNG to European markets.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. mothballed its plans for an LNG plant at the site seven years ago due in part to difficulties in accessing a supply of the fuel. Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd. says it is in talks with several potential suppliers.

The warden of the Richmond County municipality said word of revived interest in the project is good news.

"Any time there is potential development in the Strait Area it's exciting news for all of us," said Steve Sampson.

There are two other LNG export sites proposed for Nova Scotia's eastern coast.

Pieridae Energy Canada was given conditional approval earlier this year to proceed with its proposed LNG plant in Goldboro.

Earlier this month, Indian company H-Energy signed memorandums of understanding with customers for half of its planned output from a proposed LNG plant and export terminal in Guysborough County. Environmental approvals for that development have not yet been granted.