The Maritimes Natural Gas Market

This report begins with background on the Maritime Province natural gas system, National Energy Board gas export approval procedures, and the application of New Brunswick to the Board regarding rules that would apply to such exports. This is followed by a review of the development of the Maritimes natural gas market, including discoveries of natural gas in offshore & on-shore areas, transportation infrastructure development, natural gas pricing, and gas prices in relation to other fuel prices. Individual markets in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are also reviewed, with discussion of provincial energy supply & demand, competing energy sources, and natural gas market developments. The final chapter examines issues that may act as barriers to the development of the Maritimes natural gas market and concludes with a brief discussion of the benefits to the Maritimes from the natural gas industry.