Bison Transport, one of Canada's largest trucking companies, has signed an agreement with Shell Canada Products to run 15 liquefied natural gas tractors in Alberta. Bison's five-year fuels supply agreement marks the first step in launching Shell's LNG refueling infrastructure in the province.


This agreement is the first of its kind in Canada. Bison will obtain LNG from Shell Flying J publicly accessible LNG fuelling facilities in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, which are expected to open in early 2013. It also highlights LNG's potential as a transport fuel option. Under specific conditions, the use of LNG in heavy-duty applications has the potential to deliver 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, notes Shell.

Shell believes its LNG refueling infrastructure will support an increasing number of commercial fleets with LNG fuel options. The company is constructing a natural gas liquefaction plant at its Jumping Pound facility, west of Calgary, to supply this growing market.

"LNG can be a cost-effective fuel from an abundant resource of natural gas and we believe it can help our customers build competitive advantage," says Lorraine Mitchelmore, Shell Canada Limited Country Chair.

Bison will start receiving new Peterbilt tractors featuring the Westport HD natural gas engines in November, and the entire LNG heavy-duty fleet will be operational by January 2013.