B.C. newspaper magnate David Black has submitted a proposal for a $13-billion oil refinery in Kitimat to process the output of the Northern Gateway pipeline, eliminating the need to transport heavy crude oil through B.C.’s waterways.
Black said his company, Kitimat Clean, has submitted an environmental assessment application for a refinery to process up to 550,000 barrels per day of Alberta oil sands bitumen and condensate diluent.
The plant would produce diesel, gasoline and kerosene, which Black said is much safer to transport and doesn’t require extensive clean-up if there was an accident.
Black estimated the refinery would create 6,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent positions.
“All of these jobs will be based in an area of the province that has experienced a considerable decrease in permanent employment over the past ten years and is facing sawmill closures in future,” Black said in a release.
If approved, Black said construction would start in 2014 and be complete by 2020.
