Global LNG Developments: SynMax Insights on Canada and Nigeria Projects
Following our collaborative report last week, which analyzed the Corpus Christi 3 LNG facility using Vulcan, Leviaton, and Hyperion to generate comprehensive insights, we now turn our attention to Canadian and Nigerian LNG projects.
As previously mentioned, Vulcan is our infrastructure monitoring platform, providing global project tracking - available to Leviaton clients. We deliver two key data points: initial land clearing and first structure dates. Additionally, we visually monitor projects and utilize our historical database to provide informed estimates of likely online dates. Our satellite-based intelligence eliminates guesswork and enhances project timeline predictability.
We then leverage Leviaton, which combines satellite imagery, AIS data, and market intelligence, to forecast global LNG flows. The report below highlights Leviaton's value in this context.
Ultimately, LNG production is directly linked to natural gas production, where Hyperion offers a significant advantage for production modeling. By utilizing daily satellite imagery of all active wells, we can identify and track rigs, frac crews, and even turn-in-line crews. This visual confirmation provides greater certainty regarding natural gas production than traditional estimation methods. Below, we highlight our expansion of Hyperion's coverage into Canada.
LNG Canada Facility Startup and Cool-Down Cargo Arrival Phase 1
Located on the west coast of the North American continent, the Shell-majority-owned (40%) LNG Canada facility—in partnership with Petronas (25%), PetroChina (15%), Mitsubishi (15%), and Korea Gas (5%)—has commenced its startup phase. Flaring was detected in late January 2025, and the facility is currently undergoing equipment testing. A press release in early March confirmed the planned import of an LNG cargo for trial purposes.
SynMax Leviaton has detected that the Shell-chartered MARAN GAS ROXANA (IMO 9701229) loaded a cargo from the Gladstone Plant in Queensland, Australia, on March 12, 2025. This vessel is currently en route to the LNG Canada facility and is expected to deliver the cool-down cargo next week.
LNG Canada Facility: Progress Update and Hyperion Expansion
The LNG Canada project anticipates commencing its first LNG exports by July 2025. According to the latest Vulcan satellite imagery, captured on February 17, 2025, two fully completed liquefaction trains are visible at the site. For Phase 1, initial land clearing was observed in November 2019, one year after the project reached Final Investment Decision (FID) in October 2018. While discussions regarding Phase 2 FID are ongoing, land clearing for two additional adjacent trains is also observable. SynMax Vulcan will maintain continuous monitoring of all site activity and provide clients with alerts on further developments.
With our recent Hyperion expansion into Canada, we expect to observe increased upstream activity as the LNG Canada facility becomes operational.
Nigeria LNG: Train 7 Progress Update
At the Nigeria LNG facility, Train 7, an 8 MTPA liquefaction train, is set to increase the plant's overall capacity by nearly 35%, raising output from 22 MTPA to 30 MTPA. Vulcan satellite imagery from December 20, 2024, indicates that Train 7 is nearing completion, with full operations anticipated for Q3 2026. The project received its Final Investment Decision (FID) in December 2019, but initial land clearing was delayed until December 2021 due to COVID-19-related disruptions. By December 2023, the first structures were visible, and in June 2024, the company announced that over 67% of construction had been completed, a claim corroborated by Vulcan imagery.
SynMax Leviaton continues to track LNG vessels scheduled to load at NLNG. Upon the activation of Train 7 next year, an increase in ballast vessels near the facility is expected. The facility currently has two LNG jetties and is in the process of constructing a third jetty for small-scale LNG vessels.
