FERC approves first milestone in Centennial conversion

March 29, 2001
The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has given Trunkline Gas Co., an affiliate of CMS Energy Corp., permission to abandon a gas pipeline, a prelude to its conversion to a petroleum products line. The 720-mile line, dubbed Centennial Pipeline, extends from Longville, La., to Bourbon, Ill.


By the OGJ Online Staff


HOUSTON, Mar. 29�The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has given Trunkline Gas Co., an affiliate of CMS Energy Corp., permission to abandon a gas pipeline, a prelude to its conversion to a petroleum products line.

Trunkline, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC, and TEPPCO Partners LP plan to convert the 26-in. line, one of Trunkline's three parallel gas lines, to carry gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel from Gulf Coast refineries to midwest markets (OGJ Online, Feb. 5, 2001).

The 720-mile line, dubbed Centennial Pipeline, extends from Longville, La., to Bourbon, Ill.

As part of the project, the partners will extend Centennial by building a 74-mile, 24-in. pipeline connecting TEPPCO's facility near Beaumont, Tex., with the start of the existing line.

Christopher A. Helms, president of CMS Trunkline, said, "FERC's approval will allow us to meet Centennial's in-service target date of January 2002, which would be in time for next summer's prime driving season."

Centennial Pipeline will intersect TEPPCO's existing mainline in southern Illinois, where a petroleum products storage facility is under construction. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2001.