Open Season to Expand 2 Midwest Pipelines for More Marc/Utica Gas

| | |
NGPL Chicago Market Expansion Project
NGPL Chicago Market Expansion Project – click for larger version

In October 2014 MDN told you about plans by Kinder Morgan subsidiary Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (NGPL) to expand their Gulf Coast mainline pipeline from the Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) interconnection in Moultrie County, Illinois, to points north on NGPL’s pipeline system, called the Chicago Market Expansion Project (see Kinder Morgan Plans Chicago Pipeline Expansion for Marcellus/Utica). In March of this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved it (see FERC Approves Pipeline to Move More Marcellus/Utica Gas to Chicago). Kinder Morgan is also planning a second project called the Gulf Coast Southbound Expansion Project to send Marcellus/Utica (and other shale locations) gas to the Gulf Coast. Two days ago NGPL announced a non-binding open season–a period of time when drillers and others seeking capacity for each project–can register their interest in each project. NGPL already has customers signed up for the Chicago Market Expansion Project. This new open season is an attempt to see if there’s interest in expanding the Chicago Market Expansion project even more–and to register interest from drillers going the other way–to the south–via the Gulf Coast Southbound Expansion Project. The timing of the announcement is interesting. Observers theorize that Kinder Morgan is trying to make up for recently announced canceled Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline project in New England (see NED is Dead – Kinder Morgan Suspends $3.3B New England Pipeline). Kinder won’t comment. Here’s the details on the new open season…

Please Login to view this content. (Not a member? Join Today!)
You do not have permission to view the comments.