TC Energy/TransCanada

Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | TC Energy/TransCanada | Transco | Virginia | Williams

Columbia, Williams SE Va. Pipe Projects Now Fully Permitted to Build
January 2, 2024January 2, 2024

Two related pipeline projects in southeast Virginia now have all regulatory approvals in hand, and the projects will soon begin construction. Columbia Gas Transmission (a subsidiary of TC Energy) applied with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build the Virginia Reliability Project (VRP), which includes two new compressor units and the replacement of existing pipeline. VRP will dig up, replace, and double the size of two sections, or about 48 miles, of the Columbia Gas pipeline between Chesapeake and Petersburg. Williams’ Commonwealth Energy Connector Project will feed VRP by building six miles of new pipeline within Transco’s existing right-of-way in Virginia, expanding a meter station, and building a 30,500-hp electric motor-drive compressor. Both projects received final approval by FERC in November (see Columbia, Williams SE Va. Pipe Projects Get FERC Approval to Build).
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Berkshire Hathaway | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Iroquois Gas Transmission | New York | Pipelines | Statewide NY | TC Energy/TransCanada

Antis Launch Effort to Block Iroquois Pipe Compressors in NY & CT
December 11, 2023December 11, 2023

Iroquois Enhancement by Compression (ExC) project (click for larger version)

The Iroquois Gas Transmission pipeline project called Enhancement by Compression (ExC) increases horsepower at three compression stations — two in New York and one in Connecticut — by an extra 125 MMcf/d, flowing more Marcellus/Utica gas into New York City and New England (see Despite Antis’ Best Efforts, More NatGas Coming to New England). The ExC project was supposed to begin construction in spring 2023 and be placed in service by November 2023. Yeah, well, that didn’t happen, even though FERC approved it back in 2022 (see Iroquois Gas Enhancement by Compression Project Approved by FERC). As Iroquois finally gets ready to begin construction, antis and neighbors of the compressor plants are launching an effort to stop the expansions.
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Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | TC Energy/TransCanada | Transco | Virginia | Williams

Columbia, Williams SE Va. Pipe Projects Get FERC Approval to Build
November 20, 2023November 20, 2023

In August 2022, Columbia Gas Transmission (a subsidiary of TC Energy) filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build the Virginia Reliability Project (VRP), which includes two new compressor units and the replacement of existing pipeline (see Columbia Files w/FERC to Replace 48 Miles of Pipe in Southeast Va.). VRP will add 100 MMcf/d of incremental capacity on Columbia’s system to service delivery points in southeast Virginia, namely for Virginia Natural Gas. The Columbia project works hand-in-glove with another project by a different company. Williams’ Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line (Transco) asked FERC if it could add new pipeline in an existing right-of-way and one new compressor station (see Transco Pipe Seeks to Build New Compressor Boosting Flows in Va.). The Commonwealth Energy Connector Project, as it is called, will build six miles of new pipeline within Transco’s existing right-of-way in Virginia, expand a meter station, and build a 30,500 hp electric motor-drive compressor. Both projects (considered together by FERC) were approved by FERC’s commissioners in an order issued last Thursday.
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | M&A | Millennium Pipeline | Pipelines | TC Energy/TransCanada

TC Energy Looking to Sell Share in Millennium, PNGTS, Other Pipes
October 30, 2023November 2, 2023

TransCanada Corporation, which renamed itself TC Energy in 2019, bought out and merged in U.S.-based Columbia Pipeline Group (now Columbia Gas Transmission) in 2016 (see TransCanada and Columbia Pipeline Tie the Knot Today). TransCanada paid $13 billion for Columbia, including the assumption of $2.8 billion of debt. In July, TC Energy announced it was selling a 40% stake in Columbia for US$3.9 billion (C$5.2 billion) to investment firm Global Infrastructure Partners. TC completed the sale earlier this month (see TC Energy Completes Sale of 40% Interest in Columbia Pipe to GIP). Looks like TC isn’t done yet with selling pieces of assets. Secret sources whispering to Bloomberg say that TC wants to sell minority (or all) interests in four pipeline systems, three of which move Marcellus/Utica molecules.
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Berkeley County | Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Maryland | Pipelines | TC Energy/TransCanada | West Virginia

Maryland Loses Fight to Block Tiny Pipe Under Potomac River
October 13, 2023October 13, 2023

We finally have some good news to share concerning Columbia Gas’ project to build a tiny 3.37-mile, 8-inch pipeline under the Potomac River from Maryland to West Virginia. The project, called the Eastern Panhandle Expansion, has been blocked repeatedly by leftwing wackos in Maryland (see Fed Judge Upholds Maryland Decision to Block Pipe Under Potomac). Maryland used the same flawed legal argument that New Jersey used to block the PennEast Pipeline — that eminent domain can’t be used against land owned or controlled by a state. PennEast won its case against NJ in the U.S. Supreme Court in 2021 (see PennEast Pipeline Squeaks Out 5-4 Supreme Court Victory Over NJ). The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (4th Circuit) ruled on Wednesday, using the PennEast case as precedent, that Maryland could not claim immunity from eminent domain.
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Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | M&A | Pipelines | TC Energy/TransCanada

TC Energy Completes Sale of 40% Interest in Columbia Pipe to GIP
October 5, 2023October 5, 2023

TransCanada Corporation, which renamed itself TC Energy in 2019, bought out/merged in U.S.-based Columbia Pipeline Group (now Columbia Gas Transmission) in 2016 (see TransCanada and Columbia Pipeline Tie the Knot Today). TransCanada paid $13 billion for Columbia, including the assumption of $2.8 billion of debt. In July, TC Energy announced it was selling a 40% stake in Columbia for US$3.9 billion (C$5.2 billion) to investment firm Global Infrastructure Partners (see TC Energy Sells 40% Interest in Columbia Pipeline to Investor GIP). TC will retain majority ownership and operate the Columbia assets, which include 11,899 miles of pipeline extending from New York state to the Midwest and Southeast, along with dozens of storage fields in multiple states. As of yesterday, the deal is done and TC has a new partner.
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Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide VA | TC Energy/TransCanada | Transco | Virginia | Williams

Columbia, Williams SE Va. Pipeline Projects Get FERC Favorable EIS
September 26, 2023September 26, 2023

Map showing the existing Columbia system and the sections being upgraded or replaced as part of VRP (click for larger version)

In August 2022, Columbia Gas Transmission (a subsidiary of TC Energy) filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build the Virginia Reliability Project (VRP), which includes two new compressor units and the replacement of existing pipeline (see Columbia Files w/FERC to Replace 48 Miles of Pipe in Southeast Va.). VRP will add 100 MMcf/d of incremental capacity on Columbia’s system to service delivery points in southeast Virginia, namely for Virginia Natural Gas. The Columbia project works hand-in-glove with another project by a different company. Williams’ Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line (Transco) asked FERC if it could add new pipeline in an existing right-of-way and one new compressor station (see Transco Pipe Seeks to Build New Compressor Boosting Flows in Va.). The Commonwealth Energy Connector Project, as it is called, will build six miles of new pipeline within Transco’s existing right-of-way in Virginia, expand a meter station, and build a 30,500 hp electric motor-drive compressor. Both projects (considered together by FERC) recently received a favorable final environmental impact statement (EIS).
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Enbridge | Energy Companies | Energy Services | EQT Corp | Kinder Morgan | Seneca Resources | TC Energy/TransCanada | Williams

Former Philly Mayor & Fla. Congressman (Dems) Join NatGas Group
September 19, 2023September 19, 2023

Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future is a 501(c)(4) advocacy group launched in August 2020 to promote natural gas as the best solution to support so-called renewable energy and the best solution to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The leftist rag, The Guardian, reported that Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future has budgeted over $10 million for its advocacy efforts. The efforts include convincing younger, liberal, and non-white audiences that natural gas is clean and green. Is it working? Last year, the group recruited former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (Democrat from Louisiana) and earlier this year recruited former Congressman Tim Ryan (Democrat from Ohio) to sit on the group’s “leadership council.” Natural Allies has just recruited two more Democrats as reps–former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and former Florida Congressman Kendrick Meek (both African Americans). Is this Democrats-for-hire? Or do all four of these people really believe in a future with natural gas energy?
Read More “Former Philly Mayor & Fla. Congressman (Dems) Join NatGas Group”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Statewide VA | TC Energy/TransCanada | Virginia

Lefties Say Columbia Virginia Reliability Pipe Project is Racist
September 13, 2023September 13, 2023

In August 2022, Columbia Gas Transmission (a subsidiary of TC Energy) filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build the Virginia Reliability Project (VRP), which includes two new compressor units and the replacement of existing pipeline (see Columbia Files w/FERC to Replace 48 Miles of Pipe in Southeast Va.). VRP will add 100 MMcf/d of incremental capacity on Columbia’s system to service delivery points in southeast Virginia, namely Virginia Natural Gas. In April of this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a draft Environmental Impact State (dEIS) that finds the project won’t hurt Mom Nature (see Columbia Virginia Reliability Pipe Project Gets Favorable dEIS). Like mind-numbed robots, the radical left continues to spout nonsense that VRP is racist.
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | TC Energy/TransCanada

TC Energy Splitting Company in Two – Oil & Gas Pipes Separated
July 28, 2023July 28, 2023

TC Energy, formerly TransCanada Corporation, has been in the news all week. Tuesday morning, a portion of the Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline (owned by TC Energy) in rural western Virginia exploded and caught fire (see Columbia Gas Pipeline Near Interstate 81 in Va. Explodes, Big Fire). A day later, TC Energy announced it is selling a 40% stake in Columbia Gas Transmission to Global Infrastructure Partners for $3.9 billion (see TC Energy Sells 40% Interest in Columbia Pipeline to Investor GIP). And now, yesterday, TC dropped a bomb: It intends to split the company in two. TC Energy will continue to focus on natural gas pipelines and related infrastructure. At the same time, it will spin off and create a brand new company that owns and focuses on liquids (i.e., crude oil) pipelines.
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CNG/LNG | Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Exporting | Industrywide Issues | Maryland | TC Energy/TransCanada

Columbia Pipe Explosion in Va. Reduces Flows to Cove Point LNG 50%
July 27, 2023July 27, 2023

click for larger version

Tuesday morning, a portion of the Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline in rural western Virginia exploded and caught fire (see Columbia Gas Pipeline Near Interstate 81 in Va. Explodes, Big Fire). Fortunately, the blast did not hurt nearby residents, nor were there any injuries among first responders who helped extinguish the fire. However, Columbia shut down flows in that region, including reducing flows to Columbia Gas’ Loudoun LNG interconnect to zero. That outage has affected gas heading to the Maryland coast and the Cove Point LNG export facility.
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Accidents | Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | TC Energy/TransCanada | Virginia

Columbia Gas Pipeline Near Interstate 81 in Va. Explodes, Big Fire
July 26, 2023July 26, 2023

click for larger version

Talk about bad luck. On Monday, TC Energy announced it had sold a 40% stake in its Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline subsidiary to Global Infrastructure Partners for $3.9 billion (see TC Energy Sells 40% Interest in Columbia Pipeline to Investor GIP). Yesterday, a portion of the Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline in rural western Virginia–in Shenandoah County near Interstate 81–exploded and caught fire. Fortunately, the blast did not hurt nearby residents, nor were there any injuries among first responders who helped extinguish the fire.
Read More “Columbia Gas Pipeline Near Interstate 81 in Va. Explodes, Big Fire”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | TC Energy/TransCanada

Stock Market Doesn’t Like TC Energy’s 40% Sale of Columbia Pipe
July 26, 2023July 26, 2023

Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline is in the news–all over the place. Yesterday we told you about TC Energy’s plan to sell a 40% stake in the Columbia Pipeline (owned by TC) to Global Infrastructure Partners for $3.9 billion (see TC Energy Sells 40% Interest in Columbia Pipeline to Investor GIP). Today’s lead story on MDN is about an explosion along the Columbia Pipeline in Virginia (see Columbia Gas Pipeline Near Interstate 81 in Va. Explodes, Big Fire). This post is about investors who are unhappy with TC Energy.
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Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | M&A | Pipelines | TC Energy/TransCanada

TC Energy Sells 40% Interest in Columbia Pipeline to Investor GIP
July 25, 2023July 25, 2023

TransCanada Corporation, which renamed itself TC Energy in 2019, bought out/merged in U.S.-based Columbia Pipeline Group (now Columbia Gas Transmission) in 2016 (see TransCanada and Columbia Pipeline Tie the Knot Today). TransCanada paid $13 billion for Columbia, including the assumption of $2.8 billion of debt. Yesterday TC Energy announced it is selling a 40% stake in Columbia for US$3.9 billion (C$5.2 billion) to investment firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). TC will retain majority ownership and operate the Columbia assets, which include 11,899 miles of pipeline extending from New York state to the Midwest and Southeast, along with dozens of storage fields in multiple states.
Read More “TC Energy Sells 40% Interest in Columbia Pipeline to Investor GIP”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Berkshire Hathaway | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Iroquois Gas Transmission | New York | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide NY | TC Energy/TransCanada

NY DEC Intentionally Delays Permits for Iroquois Compressor Upgrades
July 24, 2023July 24, 2023

It is so maddening and frustrating to live and (if you are a business), operate in New York State. We have one-party rule: The radical leftwing of the Democrat Party. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (a lecher and liar) and current Gov. Kathy Hochul (Lt. Governor under Cuomo) are completely controlled by the radical environmental movement. Cuomo/Hochul’s latest target is to block the expansion of two compressor stations along the Iroquois Gas Transmission pipeline, preventing an additional 125 MMcf/d (million cubic feet per day) of Marcellus/Utica gas flowing into New York City and New England.
Read More “NY DEC Intentionally Delays Permits for Iroquois Compressor Upgrades”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | M&A | TC Energy/TransCanada

Court: Columbia Pipe Shareholders Shafted in Sale, TC Energy Liable
July 3, 2023July 3, 2023

TransCanada Corporation, which renamed itself TC Energy in 2019, made a play for and bought out/merged in U.S.-based Columbia Pipeline Group in 2016 (see TransCanada and Columbia Pipeline Tie the Knot Today). TransCanada paid $13 billion for Columbia, including the assumption of $2.8 billion of debt. TransCanada paid Columbia shareholders $25.50 per share in cash. However, some Columbia shareholders were not happy with the price paid and said the deal was all hush-hush until it was simply popped on everyone at the last minute. Nobody else had a chance to bid up the price, and the price did not reflect the company’s true value, according to the disgruntled shareholders. So they sued. And on Friday, they won.
Read More “Court: Columbia Pipe Shareholders Shafted in Sale, TC Energy Liable”