El Paso begins engineering studies for Nova Scotia-US Northeast pipeline

Dec. 11, 2001
El Paso Corp., Houston, has begun engineering studies for its proposed $1.6 billion Blue Atlantic pipeline, which will carry gas from fields off Nova Scotia to markets in eastern Canada and the US Northeast.

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Dec. 11 -- El Paso Corp., Houston, has begun engineering studies for its proposed $1.6 billion Blue Atlantic pipeline, which will carry gas from fields off Nova Scotia to markets in eastern Canada and the northeastern US.

It has selected several companies to work on the 750-mile, 36-in., 1 bcfd line (OGJ Online, Oct. 2, 2001). Willbros Engineers Inc., Tulsa, will provide overall project management services, including siting and design of the line and related facilities.

Other alliance companies are Trow Consulting Engineers Ltd., Brampton, Ont.; Accent Engineering Consultants Inc., Halifax, NS; and Project Consulting Services Inc., New Orleans.

Blue Atlantic will extend from fields near Sable Island to the southern coast of Nova Scotia, then continue subsea to landing points in New York and New Jersey. The companies expect gas demand in the northeastern US to increase to 2 bcfd by 2005, up 685 MMcfd from current demand.

The group expects to complete preliminary engineering studies by yearend 2002.

El Paso said the project could be in service by the fourth quarter 2005.

El Paso retained Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd., Halifax, and US company ENSR Corp. to perform environmental work.