KBR will undertake engineering and economic analysis aimed at finalising the commercial framework for the next phase of development of the project planned at Canadian utility FortisBC’s site in British Columbia.

The site could host Hazer’s methane pyrolysis technology, which uses natural gas and unprocessed iron as feedstocks to produce 2,500 tonnes of hydrogen and around 9,500 tonnes of graphite annually.

The project was first floated in 2024 after Hazer and FortisBC signed a binding project development agreement.

In 2025, Hazer and KBR partnered to advance the methane pyrolysis technology under an AUD $3m ($1.9m)-$5m ($3.2m) joint development programme.

According to Hazer, a successful trial of the Hazer process has been undertaken for the facility.

Hazer’s CEO, Glenn Corrie, said that the project has been quickly moving forward and will be propelled further by KBR’s involvement, while hinting at further prospects in North America.

“We have multiple opportunities progressing across our pipeline and look forward to updating the market as these discussions mature and milestones are achieved,” he added.

Methane pyrolysis is slated as a lower-cost clean hydrogen pathway due to its solid carbon output, which has applications across various sectors.

At the end of 2024, the Canadian government expanded its clean hydrogen subsidies to include the technology.