Exmar has also fronted a C$50 million ($47.42 million)non-refundable deposit for construction of a floating liquefaction and storagebarge as it eyes the contract for the BC LNG project on which a finalinvestment decision is due by the end of the year.

The ship owner said last week it had signed a letter ofintent and term sheet agreement with LNG Partners and LNG BargeCo which, if firmed up, would give it a 20-year contract on the project withtwo five-year contract extensions.