Kinder Morgan boosting capacity on Plantation products pipeline

July 23, 2002
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, which operates Plantation Pipe Line Co., plans to increase capacity on a 190-mile segment of the Plantation common carrier pipeline that transports refined products throughout the southeastern US.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, July 23 -- Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, which operates Plantation Pipe Line Co., plans to increase capacity on a 190-mile segment of the Plantation common carrier pipeline that transports refined products throughout the southeastern US.

The proposed $116 million project, which is needed to meet the area's growing need for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, would involve replacing an 8-in. pipeline between Bremen, Ga., and Knoxville, Tenn., with a 20-in. pipeline.

The project is supported by long-term contracts with major oil companies. KMP previously announced more than $300 million in additional expansion projects currently are under way.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission already approved Plantation Pipe Line's tariff structure for the Knoxville expansion.

"The proposed replacement pipeline, which will double capacity on the segment of the pipe between Bremen and Knoxville to approximately 90,000 b/d, will generally follow the alignment of existing utility corridors and rights-of-way. Construction is expected to take place in 2004, with completion targeted for the fourth quarter of that year," the company said.

Plantation Pipe Line is a 3,100-mile pipeline system connected to nine major refineries. The system delivered more than 618,000 b/d of refined petroleum products in 2001.KMP owns 51% of the company, while ExxonMobil Pipeline Co. owns 49%.