April 2014, Vol. 241 No. 4

Projects

Texas Eastern Seeks FERC Approval For OPEN Project

Spectra Energy’s Texas Eastern Transmission plans to construct the Ohio Pipeline Energy Network (OPEN) project.

It would provide pipeline transportation capacity to deliver new incremental production from the emerging Utica Shale and Marcellus Shale plays to markets in the Midwest, Southeast and Gulf Coast.

The project will transport the gas via the mainline extension located in Columbiana, Carroll, Jefferson, Belmont and Monroe counties in Ohio, and the existing Texas Eastern system in western Pennsylvania in Zone M2 to delivery points at Egan Hub in Louisiana, and the eastern boundary of the Gillis, LA compressor station.

The OPEN project will consist of 76 miles of 30-inch mainline pipe and associated pipeline support facilities in Ohio, including a new compressor station. Reverse flow modifications at existing compressor stations along Texas Eastern’s mainline in Ohio, Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana. About 35 miles (49%) of the proposed pipeline facilities will be either within or adjacent to existing transmission line or pipeline right-of-way.

The pipeline will be 100% owned by Texas Eastern Transmission LP and is fully subscribed with long-term agreements by four Appalachian producers. Upon completion the pipeline will have capacity of 550,000 Dth/d. Texas Eastern submitted a formal application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Jan. 31. Completion is slated in late 2015.