The long-planned and frequently delayed Mackenzie Gas Project, a C$ 16 billion ($21.21 billion) pipe that would bring 1.2 Bcf/d from the gas-rich Mackenzie Delta in Canada's Northwest Territories to pipelines in north Alberta, was offered a life extension Thursday.

In a news, Canada's National Energy Board stated it would certainly expand the sunset provisions for the project programmers up until December 31, 2022.

The job developers, led by Imperial Oil, last summertime had asked for an expansion of a December 2015 deadline for a task financial investment choice.

In a letter to the developers, the NEB stated the job "is still in the public passion" and that the original problems affixed to the job will call for that it be created, built as well as run in a way that is safe as well as shields the setting.

The task is a joint endeavor of Imperial, Covering, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and the Aboriginal Pipeline Group. biocides supplier proposed 1,842-km (1,144-mile) pipe is developed to lug 1.2 Bcf/d from the gas-rich Mackenzie Delta near the Beaufort Sea south through the Northwest Territories to link with pipes in north Alberta.

Proponents of the project still deal with numerous difficulties, not the least of which is constructing a major gas pipeline to bring gas into markets already awash with the outcome of shale plays.

Imperial asked the NEB to prolong the sunset clauses on August 20, 2015. On November 9, NEB expanded the sundown provisions to September 30, 2016 so it can take into consideration the application.

Likewise in November, the board and also Federal government of the Northwest Territories Regulator of Oil and Gas Workflow coordinated their respective reviews as well as invited the general public to submit their comments on the requested extensions.

The board received comments from 14 groups and individuals, mostly on behalf of the application. 4 of the celebrations opposed the expansion.

The extension to the sundown provision for the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline will not enter impact until it is authorized by the Canadian federal government.

A rep of Imperial Oil did not immediately call back for remark.