Coastal GasLink has successfully completed its 670-kilometer natural gas pipeline across Northern British Columbia after five years of construction.

In a statement issued on Monday, Coastal GasLink confirmed the successful conclusion of pipeline construction, including welding along the entire route from northeastern B.C. to Kitimat.

"We continue to progress a number of critical activities into 2024, such as cleanup, reclamation, and environmental protection activities," the company stated.

The significant milestone marks a critical step toward transporting natural gas to LNG Canada's liquefied natural gas export terminal, still under construction in Kitimat on the West Coast.

The completion of this pipeline is pivotal for the industry's aspiration to supply Canadian fuel to Asian markets, enabling the first facility in Canada capable of loading natural gas in liquid form onto tankers for international shipping.

However, despite reaching this milestone, the pipeline's route, which crosses two mountain ranges and traverses ten major water crossings, remains contentious due to opposition from Wet’suwet’en Nation hereditary chiefs and their supporters, including climate activists.

While the installation of 100% of the pipeline is complete, Coastal GasLink noted that the pipeline project's "overall progress" stands at 96.5%. The introduction of pressurized natural gas in sections is the next step in the project.

LNG Canada, in a statement released on Monday, reiterated that the pipeline remains on track for "full mechanical completion" by the end of this year, aligning with the needs of LNG Canada's operations. The statement further highlighted that the export terminal has achieved more than 85% completion.

The $18-billion terminal, a joint venture led by Shell PLC, is slated to commence shipping liquefied natural gas to Asian markets in 2025, contributing to Canada's role in global energy exports.