Operations at the second processing unit of the massive LNG Canada export facility in British Columbia have been halted for close to a month, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters. The unit, known as Train 2, went down shortly after its initial start-up in early November 2025.
Details of the Shutdown
The Shell-led consortium behind the multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas project has not publicly disclosed the specific cause or expected duration of the outage. The information comes from unnamed sources cited by the Reuters news agency in a report published on December 4, 2025.
This development marks a significant operational hiccup for one of Canada's most critical energy infrastructure projects. The LNG Canada facility is a cornerstone of the country's strategy to export natural gas to global markets, particularly in Asia.
Impact on Operations and Timeline
The extended downtime of Train 2 raises questions about the project's ramp-up timeline and its ability to meet initial production targets. The first processing unit, Train 1, achieved its first production earlier in 2025 and has been in the commissioning phase.
The full two-train project is designed to have an export capacity of 14 million tonnes per annum of LNG once fully operational. Any prolonged delay in bringing Train 2 online could affect the overall supply chain and contractual delivery schedules for the venture's partners.
Context and Broader Significance
LNG Canada represents one of the largest private sector investments in Canadian history. The project is a joint venture led by Shell, alongside partners such as PetroChina, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS).
Located in Kitimat, B.C., the facility's success is closely watched by industry analysts, policymakers, and environmental groups. This unplanned shutdown underscores the technical complexities involved in launching such large-scale liquefaction and export terminals.
The consortium has not yet issued an official statement regarding the Reuters report or provided an update on when Train 2 operations are expected to resume. Market observers will be monitoring for any announcements that could impact global LNG supply dynamics.
