Despite abundant resources, Fort Nelson in northeastern B.C. remains in economic limbo after years of industrial closures. The region’s population has declined sharply, and major sawmills and a gas processing plant have shut down, leaving jobs and opportunities in short supply.
But that could change. The Liard and Horne River basins hold massive natural gas reserves. If the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project goes ahead, that gas could finally reach global markets. Paramount Resources and Woodside Energy have teamed up and joined the Rockies LNG Partnership, potentially reviving local drilling.
The Fort Nelson First Nation is also pushing ahead with economic development. Its company, Deh Tai GP Ltd., is working on a geothermal power project and considering a small sawmill to use up unharvested timber in the area. The Nation holds the largest forest tenure of any in Canada, but limited processing capacity has kept logs from being used locally.
With energy prices strong and new partnerships forming, there’s renewed hope that Fort Nelson’s long-dormant resource economy may soon get back on track.
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