Name and Location
Constitution pipeline project, US.

Client
Constitution Pipeline Company, which is owned by units of Williams, Cabot Oil & Gas Corp, Piedmont Natural Gas Co and WGL Holdings Inc.

Project Description
The proposed pipeline project has been developed in response to natural gas market demands in the New York and the New England areas, and interest from natural gas shippers that require transportation capacity from Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, to the existing Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (TGP) and Iroquois systems, in Schoharie County, New York.

The pipeline will involve the construction and operation of almost 200 km of a new 76-cm-diameter natural gas pipeline and associated equipment and facilities in Pennsylvania and New York.

Constitution also proposes to construct and operate two new metering and regulating (M&R) stations, two tie-ins, ten communication towers and 11 mainline valves, and will install a pig (an internal tool that can be used to clean and dry a pipeline and/or to inspect it for damage or corrosion) launcher and a pig receiver at the M&R stations.

The compressor transfer station, will involve the construction and operation of new compressor facilities adjacent to Iroquois’ existing Wright compressor station and modifications to the existing Wright compressor station. Iroquois’ proposed expansion will be constructed completely within the property boundaries of its existing Wright compressor station.

The proposed projects will deliver up to 650 000 dekatherms a day of natural gas supply.

Value
The pipeline will cost an estimated $683-million to build.

Duration
Constitution proposes to start construction in February 2015 and continue until the end of 2015, pending receipt of all applicable federal authorisations. The company will request to place the facilities into service following a determination that restoration is proceeding satisfactorily.

Latest Developments
Constitution reported a key regulatory milestone in October this year toward approval to construct its proposed pipeline.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc) published its final environmental review of the proposed pipeline on October 24.

The Ferc action is a key step toward the commission’s decision on the project, which is expected as early as late November.

The Ferc environmental-impact statement (EIS) assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of projects in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.

The EIS concluded that environmental impacts would be reduced to “less than significant levels” with the implementation of proposed mitigation measures by Constitution and Ferc.

The Ferc’s 90-day federal authorisation decision deadline for the project is set for January 22, 2015.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Constitution PipelineCompany, Chris Stockton, tel +1 713 215 2010 or email Christopher.L.Stockton@Williams.com.