IROQUOIS PROJECT AWARDS MORE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

Aug. 12, 1991
Iroquois Gas Transmission System, Shelton, Conn., has let contracts for construction of remaining portions of the pipeline project in New York and Connecticut. The company also let contracts for crossings of the Hudson and Housatonic rivers. Total value of all the latest contracts is $77.6 million. They were to have been awarded in June. Meantime, construction had recently been halted on three spreads. These delays raised concerns the pipeline might fail to meet its Nov. 1 start-up target

Iroquois Gas Transmission System, Shelton, Conn., has let contracts for construction of remaining portions of the pipeline project in New York and Connecticut.

The company also let contracts for crossings of the Hudson and Housatonic rivers.

Total value of all the latest contracts is $77.6 million. They were to have been awarded in June.

Meantime, construction had recently been halted on three spreads. These delays raised concerns the pipeline might fail to meet its Nov. 1 start-up target (OGJ, July 29, Newsletter).

However, Robert J. Reid, president of Iroquois, said awarding of the latest contracts starts the final phase of the construction program and keeps the project on target to begin operations before yearend.

"Despite the recent regulatory delays involved with obtaining clearances to complete cultural resource work along the route, we believe there is still a chance we will start operations in November," Reid said. "At the very least, we are confident the pipeline will start transporting gas within 30 days of Nov. 1."

SPREADS, CROSSINGS

Murphy Bros., East Moline, III., received a $3.1 million contract for construction of the 56 mile segment from Greenport, N.Y., in Columbia County to Dover, N.Y., in Dutchess County.

Murphy also received a $1.7 million contract for construction of the Housatonic River crossing. The company currently is building a portion of the pipeline segment that runs through St. Lawrence County in Upstate New York.

A $3.9 million contract to construct the Hudson River crossing went to Pentzien Inc., Omaha, Neb. Pentzien also is building the crossing of the St. Lawrence River.

Michael Curran & Associates, Houston, received a $40.9 million contract for the 50 mile portion of the pipeline in Connecticut from Sherman in Fairfield County to Milford in New Haven County.

The pipeline's crossings of the Hudson and Housatonic rivers are two of three major river crossings required for Iroquois. Construction of the crossing of the St. Lawrence River began in early July.

A contract for construction of a 9 mile segment of the pipeline on Long Island will be the final award.

It is to be let soon.

Reid said Iroquois has received the required clearances from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to complete its cultural resource work and begin construction. Iroquois has spent more than $4 million for cultural resource surveys along its 370 mile route.

A partnership of 12 companies from the U.S. and Canada, Iroquois will transport 575.9 MMcfd of gas from western Canada to utilities in the U.S. Northeast.

Copyright 1991 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.