FERC approves several natural gas pipeline projects

FERC oversees the interstate transmission of natural gas across the US. Its role encompasses regulation of interstate transportation rates and services for natural gas pipelines, natural gas pipeline construction and pipeline-related environmental matters.

While in 2016, FERC certificated 17.6 billion ft³/d of new natural gas pipeline capacity, as of yet, in 2017, the commission has certificated more than 7 billion ft³/d of new pipeline capacity before it lost its quorum due to the departure of a commissioner in February.

However, receiving certification is one step in the process of constructing and operating a natural gas transmission pipeline. Because of this, the pipelines that have received certification in 2017 will not necessarily come online this year.

The seven pipeline projects certificated so far this year include mover 1500 miles of natural gas pipeline construction and expansions, with projected 2017 and 2018 in-service dates. They are, generally, concentrated in the eastern half of the US with the aim of improving access to markets.

Two of the projects approved are the the US$4.2 billion, 3.3 billion ft³/d Rover pipeline project and the US$2.6 billion Atlantic Sunrise pipeline expansion project, which will add 1.7 billion ft³/d of pipeline capacity.

Other recently certificated projects include the Orion project, the Transco-Charleston project, the Rayne and Leach Xpress projects, the Northern Access project and the Northern Lights 2017 expansion projects.