Northwest Pipeline GP completes Sundance Trail expansion project

Williams Partners L.P. has announced that Northwest Pipeline GP has received authorisation from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to place its 30 in. diameter natural gas mainline loop, known as the Sundance Trail Expansion, into service.

The Sundance Trail project includes approximately 15.5 miles of pipeline and related facilities that will provide 150 000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation capacity from the Greasewood and Meeker/White River hubs in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. to the Opal Hub area in Lincoln County, Wyoming. As part of the project, Northwest replaced and added compression at its Vernal Compressor Station in Uintah County, Utah. The project had a total cost of approximately US$ 56 million.

"Completion of the Sundance Trail Expansion allows us to meet demand for transportation capacity to move gas from the prolific Piceance Basin to the Opal Hub," said Phil Wright, president of Williams' gas pipeline business. "At the Opal Hub, gas producers benefit from significant supply options due to the accessibility of six interstate pipelines, including Northwest. We're pleased to have the pipeline in service, and we appreciate the efforts of the FERC and other federal and state agencies in reviewing and approving the project in a timely manner."

Northwest filed an application with the FERC for a certificate for the project in May 2009 and received FERC approval in December 2009. Construction on the project began in April 2010.

Northwest's mainline is connected to the Piceance Basin at the Greasewood hub through its Piceance Lateral and the Meeker/White River hubs through Northwest's Colorado hub connection pipeline and related facilities.

Williams owns 77% of Williams Partners, including the general-partner interest. Most of Williams' interstate gas pipeline and midstream assets are held through its ownership interest in Williams Partners.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/03112010/northwest_pipeline_gp_completes_sundance_trail/