Expander Energy Completes FEED Phase for Mackenzie Biofuel Project

Calgary, Alberta — May 13, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Expander Energy Inc. has completed the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase of the Mackenzie Biofuel Project, a proposed Biomass Electrolysis to Liquids (BETL®) Bio-Synfuel facility in Mackenzie, British Columbia. The company is now focusing on obtaining regulatory approvals and finalizing deliverables to secure capital funding for the project.

The Mackenzie Biofuel Project is one of three projects identified during a project supported by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) through the Clean Fuels Fund program. Expander and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) are aiming for a Final Investment Decision (FID) by the end of 2026. The facility intends to be the first-of-its-kind low carbon clean fuel production in BC and Canada, using forestry wood waste biomass (cellulose) to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel by 2029.

BETL® is an innovative, patented, and patent-pending process developed by Expander and CNL for making low carbon bio-synthetic fuels. It leverages Expander’s technology for biomass gasification and bio-synthetic fuel production, integrating electrolysis technology into the process. The resulting fuel will be comprised entirely of carbon sourced from biogenic (atmospheric) sources and will have a very low life cycle carbon intensity (CI).

The proposed facility will use the BETL® technology to convert 82,000 dry tonnes per year of forestry wood waste into 30 million liters per year of SAF, renewable diesel (RD), renewable naphtha, and bio-wax. This is projected to have a life cycle carbon intensity 80% lower than fossil equivalents.

Expander is working with Provincial and Federal grant funding partners, as well as private equity firms, to secure the funding required for construction and operation of the facility in Mackenzie, BC. The company is also collaborating with key strategic commercial partners from the aviation industry to assess initial market interest. The initial product target is 18 million liters/year of SAF, with the potential to expand to 72 million liters per year.

According to Expander, the Mackenzie Biofuel Project could produce SAF and renewable diesel at prices competitive with comparable alternatives, while providing a robust rate of return. The company says this offers a realistic pathway to lower cost SAF and RD.

Steve Kresnyak, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Expander Energy Inc., said the company is thrilled to announce progress on the Mackenzie Biofuels Project and continues to accelerate the project with the completion of the $8 million FEED study, land and feedstock secured, and support from key community and Indigenous leaders. Kresnyak added that Expander is encouraged by the response from strategic partners and looks forward to sharing more details as these partnerships are finalized.

Expander is thankful for the continued support of its land and feedstock partner East Fraser Fiber Co., as well as community and Indigenous leaders, including the McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB) and the District of Mackenzie.

Expander Energy Inc. is a Calgary, Alberta-based energy technology company that has developed transportation fuel production technologies to convert biomass, captured carbon, and low Carbon Intensity electricity into low life cycle carbon intensity synthetic diesel fuel (Bio-SynDiesel®), synthetic kerosene jet fuel (Bio-SynJet®), and green prime power generation.

Expander’s Bio-Energy Carbon Capture and Sequestration (BECCS) solution utilizes cellulosic biomass to produce next generation low CI synthetic fuels while capturing bio-carbon for geologic sequestration. Bio-SynDiesel®, Bio-SynJet®, BGTL®, EBTL®, BETL®, and CETL® are trademarks of Expander Energy Inc.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is Canada’s nuclear science and technology laboratory working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). CNL fulfills three strategic priorities: restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

East Fraser Fiber Co. Ltd. is a Canadian wood-product manufacturer that produces finger-joint studs, trim blocks, and wood chips, serving the North American construction market.

The McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB) is part of the Tse’khene group of Aboriginal peoples. The main community of McLeod Lake Band is located on McLeod Lake Indian Band Indian Reserves #1 and #5.

The District of Mackenzie is a community of approximately 3,700 residents in north-central British Columbia, known for its natural resource-based industries and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Source: Expander Energy Inc.