UPDATE 2-Gazprom joins Canada LNG plant consortium

(Adds Enbridge comment)

CALGARY, Alberta, May 15 (Reuters) - Gazprom (GAZP.MM: Quote, Profile, Research) moved a Canadian liquefied natural gas terminal ahead on Thursday by taking a stake and agreeing to supply all of the gas needs from the Russian company's huge Shtokman project, the companies said on Thursday.

Gazprom, the world's largest gas producer, is joining Enbridge Inc (ENB.TO: Quote, Profile, Research), Gaz Metro (GZM_u.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) and Gaz de France GAZ.PA in developing the C$840 million ($840 million) Rabaska LNG project in Quebec, due to be built by 2014, the firms said.

It would be the Russian firm's first major investment in North America, Alexander Medvedev, deputy chairman of Gazprom's management committee, said in a statement.

The companies did not disclose the size of stake Gazprom will acquire in the 500 million cubic feet a day project, to be located on the St. Lawrence River at Levis, Quebec. Gas from the plant would supply the Quebec and Ontario markets.

A liquefaction plant at Shtokman, located in the Barents Sea, 450 km (280 miles) northeast of Murmansk, is also due to start operations in 2014.

Rabaska has all of its regulatory approvals, but has yet to start construction. A go-ahead decision could be made after the definitive agreements for Gazprom's entry are signed before the end of the year.

"One of the pieces that needed to fall into place was getting a supply contract," Enbridge spokeswoman Jennifer Varey said.

Some North American LNG plants were first proposed a few years ago when the continent appeared to have numerous choices for imported gas supplies. But that has changed as high prices in Europe created a seller's market, executives have said.