Squamish's Woodfibre LNG has a new chief executive officer.
The company, a member of the Pacific Energy Corporation (Canada) group of companies, announced late last week that Luke Schauerte is at the helm as of Nov. 4.
Previously, Schauerte was with another LNG export facility that is under construction, LNG Canada—set to be the nation's first large-scale gas liquefaction and export facility—where he served as vice president of asset management.
Construction of LNG Canada, based in Kitimat, is more than 95% complete, according to a recent update from the company. LNG Canada is a joint venture company of Shell, PETRONAS, PetroChina, Mitsubishi Corporation and KOGAS.
"As the Woodfibre LNG project continues to advance, we are excited to have Luke join our team," said Ratnesh Bedi, president of Pacific Energy, in a news release. "His proven track record for unlocking the full potential of large-scale assets is instrumental in advancing Canada's leadership in delivering sustainably produced energy to the world."
Different but similar
Woodfibre LNG will be a smaller project than Schauerte has been accustomed to in Kitimat—there were 8,000 workers on-site at its peak of construction, whereas Woodfibre LNG will have 800 on-site at its peak construction—but the two projects have many similarities.
For example, both are in the construction phase and have 40-year export licences.
LNG Canada’s licence allows it to export up to 14 million tonnes of LNG per year for Asian markets, whereas Woodfibre LNG can export 2.1 million tonnes of LNG each year for overseas markets. Both have partnerships with local First Nations. LNG Canada is being built on the Haisla Nation's traditional territory, while Woodfibre is on the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation's) territory.
(The Haisla Nation is the owner of Cedar LNG, a floating LNG facility on its territory in Kitimat.)
Both projects also helped supply their community’s local hospital with a CT scanner.
A major difference however, is the main reception the projects have received, LNG Canada did not see the same vocal level of opposition that has been seen in Squamish.
The Sea to Sky recently elected a Green MLA, Jeremy Valeriote, who made his opposition to Woodfibre LNG one of his key campaign points, while the Skeena riding, which includes Kitimat, elected BC Conservative Claire Rattée, whose party promised to bolster LNG projects.
The Squamish council has also had a sometimes strained, testy relationship with the company, opposing planned accommodations for construction workers for both the project and the associated pipeline. In Kitimat, on the other hand, the mayor, at least, has had positive things to say about the LNG Canada project.
Squamish is the home of a vocal activist environmental group formed in 2014 to oppose the project in My Sea to Sky.
Background
Before LNG Canada, Schauerte held leadership roles with Shell, for about 16 years, according to his LinkedIn page, in both Canada and internationally.
For Shell, he played a leading role in the Scotford Manufacturing Complex, a hydrocarbon processing site that consists of a bitumen upgrader, oil refinery, chemicals plant and Carbon Capture and Storage facility in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
His LinkedIn profile also shows that he was previously a combat systems engineer officer with the Canadian Armed Forces.
"Within the Royal Canadian Navy, initially served on Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Regina," reads his profile.
He is an engineer registered with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta.
“I’m delighted to join Woodfibre LNG, a company that is breaking new ground in sustainable LNG development,” said Schauerte in the release. “Woodfibre LNG is demonstrating exceptional industry leadership through its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to its innovative efforts in promoting cultural and gender safety. I’m excited to help lead a safe, sustainable and socially conscious operation that is positioned to generate long-term benefits, including economic reconciliation across a diverse range of stakeholders.”
Construction of Woodfibre LNG began in September of 2023. The facility is expected to be completed in 2027.
Beyond this recent announcement, there have been no other executive leadership changes at Woodfibre LNG of late, according to Sean Beardow, director of communications planning and media relations with the company.
The Squamish Chief asked for an interview with Schauerte, but Beardow said the newly minted CEO was “fully committed to meetings and travel at this time.” We expect to be able to sit down for a more in-depth conversation with Schauerte in the near future.
