Bear Head LNG Corp. was issued an updated and amended permit to construct an LNG export facility on the Strait of Canso in Nova Scotia, parent company Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd. said March 16.

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) issued Bear Head an updated and amended permit. This is the first project in eastern Canada to receive this authorization, Liquefied Natural Gas added.

The Bear Head LNG project will handle 8 million tonnes per year of LNG. John Godbold, the project director, said the project’s timing will depend on regulatory approval and contracts with gas suppliers and LNG buyers, but noted that operations could begin by 2019. The site is located on the Strait of Canso in Point Tupper, Richmond County. The strait is closer to some natural gas markets, such as India’s, than some North American competitors including British Columbia.

Lloyd’s Register, UARB’s certifying authority, recommended the authorization. Bear Head now has nine of the 10 initial Canadian federal, provincial and local regulatory approvals needed to construct the facility.

UARB gave Bear Head a first permit in 2005, and then extensions to it in 2009 and 2013. No further agency review is required, because Bear Head received approval from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), Liquefied Natural Gas said.

The approvals and permits that are in place include Navigable Waters Protection Act authorizations from the federal government, Fisheries and Oceans Canada CEAA screening from the federal government, the development permit from the municipality of Richmond County and the Beaches Act clearance from the government of Nova Scotia.

Bear Head will file the tenth document that is needed, an updated, amended registration document, with the Nova Scotia Environment provincial government department. Approval of this document is expected in 2015’s second quarter.

Perth, Australia-based Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd. (ASX: LNG.AX) develops midscale LNG plants.