March 2014, Vol. 241 No. 3

Projects

Spectra Energy To Expand Pipeline Systems In New England

Spectra Energy and Spectra Energy Partners announced the Atlantic Bridge project, a proposed expansion of its Algonquin Gas Transmission and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline systems, to connect abundant North American natural gas supplies with markets in the New England states and Maritime provinces.

Algonquin and Maritimes & Northeast executed an agreement with Unitil Corp. to participate as an anchor shipper. Unitil is a natural gas distribution company that serves Massachusetts and New Hampshire and is the largest distributor in Maine. As proposed, the expansion will increase pipeline capacity by 100,000 to in excess of 600,000 Dth/d, depending upon additional market commitments.

Plans call for a majority of the Atlantic Bridge project’s construction to occur within existing rights-of-way and at company-owned facilities, thus having minimal effect on landowners, communities and the environment.

The Atlantic Bridge project has a target in-service date of November 2017, and has the flexibility to consider further commitments for 2018 depending on shipper requests. With efforts underway by the six New England states to bring in additional natural gas, Spectra Energy looks forward to developing solutions with those parties for expansions of Algonquin or Maritimes & Northeast systems as part of the Atlantic Bridge project or part of a future expansion.

The open season for the Atlantic Bridge project closes on March 31, 2014. Interested parties may contact their Algonquin or Maritimes account manager or Greg Crisp at (713) 627-4611.