By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 26 -- El Paso Corp., Houston, said it plans to increase the capacity of its proposed Seafarer natural gas pipeline system to 1 bcfd from 800 MMcfd. The 163 mile, 26-in. system—formerly referred to as the Bahama Cay pipeline—will transport gas from the planned El Paso Global LNG regasification terminal at Grand Bahama Island to West Palm Beach, Fla. (OGJ Online, Oct. 2, 2001).
EPC has not disclosed details about the proposed Bahamas LNG terminal. However, the company is recommissioning the Elba Island, Ga., LNG terminal and holds interests in the remaining three US LNG terminals. It also is a participant in plans to develop LNG regasification terminals on Mexico's Baja California peninsula, to serve California and northern Mexico markets; and at Altamira, Tamaulipas state, on Mexico's eastern coast, to serve rapidly growing power demand for gas in northeastern Mexico.
The pipeline project will comprise two line sections, one to either side of the boundary of the US Exclusive Economic Zone in the Atlantic Ocean. The first section, to be built and owned by a unit of El Paso, will extend 88 miles from the Grand Bahama Island LNG terminal to the international boundary. Another El Paso unit will develop and operate the remaining 75 mile section, which will connect to the Florida Gas Transmission pipeline system.
The system, which is slated to come on line in the summer of 2005, will help meet fuel requirements for Florida's burgeoning power generation market, El Paso said.