A Fort St. John-based pipeline company is taking on a key role as construction moves ahead on the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project.
Surerus Murphy Joint Venture has been awarded the first terrestrial construction contract for the project, which is expected to bring together Canadian contractors to build the land-based sections of the natural gas pipeline.
The joint venture was formed in 2015 between Fort St. John-based, family-owned Surerus Pipeline Inc. and U.K.-based J. Murphy & Sons.
The companies bring decades of pipeline construction experience, including work in northern B.C. and the region’s challenging terrain.
“As an energy infrastructure construction company rooted in Western Canada, we understand the uniqueness of this project scope intimately, and we know we can use our experience to complete this work safely and responsibly while finding unique ways to contribute locally to the communities our work engages with,” said Mick Fitzpatrick, president of Surerus Murphy Joint Venture.
The Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project is intended to transport natural gas from northeastern B.C. to the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG facility on the province’s northwest coast.
The project was jointly acquired in 2024 by the Nisga’a Nation and Western LNG and is being developed as an Indigenous-led energy infrastructure project.
Western LNG said Surerus Murphy’s experience working in northern B.C. was a key factor in selecting the contractor.
“There is no substitute for a contractor that has already built a pipeline through this terrain,” said Davis Thames, founder, president and CEO of Western LNG.
“Surerus Murphy’s experience building major projects in northern B.C. means fewer surprises and faster problem-solving. We’re fortunate to be able to draw on the wisdom Canada’s construction industry has already gained in order to make PRGT a better project.”
As part of the contract, Surerus Murphy will also be required to develop a local and Indigenous participation plan.
The requirement applies to all prime contractors working on the PRGT project and is intended to increase opportunities for local and Indigenous businesses and workers.
Eva Clayton, president of Nisga’a Lisims Government, said using Canadian companies is an important part of keeping the economic benefits of the project in the region.
“When we build with Canadian companies, and those companies subcontract to local and Indigenous businesses, that means huge benefits stay right here in British Columbia,” Clayton said.
Surerus Murphy will oversee the land-based construction, while Swiss company Allseas has been selected to handle the subsea pipeline work.
Global engineering firm Bechtel will manage overall execution planning for the project.
