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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Nauticol Energy Plans $2 Billion Methanol Plant in Grand Prairie, Alberta

10/17/2018
Nauticol Energy Ltd. plans to construct a $2 billion world-scale methanol manufacturing facility, northwest of Edmonton, in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada.

In the coming months, Nauticol said it will be working with all levels of government to obtain the required regulatory permits to successfully complete the project. The company has also started consultation and stakeholder engagement with the public, and has committed to continuing to do so throughout the project’s lifespan.

Nauticol President &CEO Mark Tonner said the project will produce up to 3 million metric tonnes of methanol per year, converting Alberta’s natural gas into a value-added product.

According to company officials, methanol is a multi-purpose product with several end uses, including; electronics, construction materials, solvents and petrochemicals. Methanol use in clean alternative fuels is leading to significant growth in global demand.

Development will take place on existing disturbed land, adjacent to the existing International Paper Canada pulp mill. Building a highly modularized facility and optimizing infrastructure with industrial neighbours in this industrial zone limits impact to local communities and reduces the project’s ecological footprint by 50% compared to a traditional methanol facility of this scale, company officials explained.

Starting in 2019, the facility will be built in three stages, using a modularized design. PCL Construction will construct the facility modules in Alberta and transport them to the Grande Prairie site, which is located about 6.2 miles south of the City in the County of Grande Prairie.

“Nauticol is committed to building value-add industry in the Grande Prairie region. This leading-edge facility will create 75,000 people years of employment and adds value to Alberta’s abundant natural gas supply,” said Mark Tonner, President & CEO of Nauticol Energy Ltd. “This is a made-in-Alberta/madefor-Albertans project that will add tremendous economic, environmental and societal benefits both here and around the world.”

While some of the methanol produced will supply local markets, Nauticol officials noted most will be directed to Asian markets, which make up approximately 70% of current global demand.

Nauticol has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Western Cree Tribal Council whereby the WCTC will be equity participants in the project. This agreement sets a new precedent in Alberta. The WCTC serves the communities of Duncan's First Nation, Horse Lake First Nation and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.

“Nauticol truly values the meaningful relationships we have developed with the Western Cree Tribal Council,” said Tonner. “Our company is committed to a partnership built on reciprocity, shared knowledge and shared opportunities.”

Earlier this year, Nauticol, along with its partners, announced the proposed development of an integrated methanol and urea project in Bécancour, Québec.

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