El Paso’s Ruby pipeline approved

El Paso Corp. has received Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval for the Ruby pipeline project, a 675 mile 42 in. US interstate gas pipeline that will access Rockies reserves and make them available to markets in California, Nevada and the Pacific Northwest.

Ruby will transport natural gas from an existing supply hub at Opal, Wyoming, to interconnections near Malin, Oregon. It will be able to transport as much as 1.5 billion ft³ of gas after its completion, which is scheduled for March 2011.

“We are pleased to receive FERC approval for a major new pipeline that will benefit both natural gas producers and consumers in the western United States”, said Jim Cleary, President of El Paso’s Western Pipeline Group. “We are proud of the fact that Ruby will be the first carbon-neutral pipeline in US history”.

Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) has agreed to invest up to US$ 700 million in the Ruby project. GIP is set to acquire 50% equity interest in the project.

El Paso Corp. is the owner of the largest US network of natural gas pipelines. Construction of Ruby is expected to begin later in the Spring. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) still has to approve the pipeline’s route over public lands. A BLM decision is expected in May.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/08042010/el-paso%E2%80%99s-ruby-pipeline-approved/