Williams’ plan moves forward

RBC — Williams announced last week that Northwest Pipeline GP is launching an open season to seek binding commitments from shippers for participation in its Sundance Trail expansion project.
Shippers can contract for long-term firm transportation service from receipt points near the Greasewood and Meeker Hubs in the Piceance Basin to delivery point interconnects at the Opal Hub in Wyoming.
Shippers also can elect any other receipt or delivery point within the Greasewood/Meeker Hub to Opal Hub path.
To access supplies near the Greasewood/Meeker Hubs, the Sundance Trail expansion will utilize capacity on the proposed 29-mile lateral to be constructed as part of Northwest’s Colorado Hub Connection project as well as available capacity on Northwest’s existing Piceance lateral. The proposed Sundance Trail expansion will include the construction of approximately 16 miles of 30-inch loop between Green River, Wyo., and Muddy Creek, Wyo., and the addition of compression horsepower at Northwest’s existing Vernal compressor station.
It is anticipated that the capacity of the Sundance Trail expansion will approximate 150,000 dekatherms per day and service will be provided utilizing Northwest’s currently effective system-wide reservation and volumetric charges.
“Due to the prolific production growth in the Rockies, there is need to facilitate the aggregation of gas supply from the region for transportation to growing markets in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the western United States. The Opal Hub is a logical launching pad to serve these markets,” said Phil Wright, president of Williams Gas Pipeline.
Once binding commitments are received, Northwest will determine the final design and cost for the project. Subject to the necessary approvals, it is anticipated service on the Sundance Trail expansion will be available in November 2010.
Williams, through its subsidiaries, finds, produces, gathers, processes and transports natural gas. Williams’ operations are concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Gulf Coast and Eastern Seaboard.