TransCanada recently sponsored the Industrial Gas Users Association’s (IGUA) 2006 Natural Gas Conference, which was held in Toronto on Nov. 9 and 10. IGUA is an association of industrial gas users in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebéc. IGUA currently represents 41 member companies who are major users of natural gas and consume more than 146 Bcf annually.

Steve Pohlod, TransCanada’s vice-president, Commercial East of the Canadian Pipelines division, addressed the conference and provided a summary of TransCanada’s Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) supply outlook, services and developments such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.

“Although the WCSB is maturing, it remains the second largest basin on the continent and continues to deliver stable and reliable supply to eastern markets”, says Steve. “In addition, TransCanada sees new supply from the north as an extension to this basin and we are well positioned to deliver this new production utilizing existing assets.”

In his presentation, Steve noted that the demand for gas is strong with much of that being driven by the growing demand for power in North America. “While the WCSB continues to deliver reliable supply, northern gas and offshore LNG will be required to meet expected incremental long-term demand growth,” says Steve. “Incremental supply from LNG will help to meet incremental demand in Ontario, Quebéc and the U.S. Northeast markets.”

The benefits of LNG to industrial gas users include:

• Additional supply in the market region
  • Incremental supply to meet growing demand
  • Supply diversity and security
  • Local proximity
• Commitment to existing infrastructure

TransCanada is also taking steps to enhance commercial flexibility to meet market needs, such as system expansion in market areas and new services. “We are advancing access to long-term supply by direct involvement in the development of infrastructure to access both LNG and northern gas. Receipt points to connect LNG to the Mainline will deliver clear benefits to our customer’s eastern markets,” he adds. “In the meantime, we’ll continue to improve service flexibility to ensure markets have the most cost effective access to supply on our system as possible.” These service enhancements will help ensure that TransCanada continues to meet the changing needs of IGUA members.

TransCanada has a long-standing relationship with IGUA. “Not only does the IGUA conference provide us with valuable industry information every year,” says Steve, “it’s an ideal forum to meet and build on our relationships with many eastern industrial customers in one location.” IGUA was organized in 1973 to provide a voice for industrial firms depending on natural gas as a fuel or feedstock. It has become the recognized association representing the industrial user of natural gas, before regulatory boards and governments, at both the provincial and national levels.

For more information, contact Steve Pohlod at 403.920.5842.