By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 24 -- The board of Colonial Pipeline Co., Atlanta, approved plans to proceed with permitting and construction of a new, larger pipeline to Knoxville that would provide eastern Tennessee with additional gasoline and other liquid fuels.
The board approved Colonial's plans to lay 16-in. pipe along its current right-of-way, from northeast of Chattanooga to Knoxville. Engineering and other preparatory work for the project has been under way since last year (OGJ Online, Sept. 24, 2001).
The project will be completed in four phases, with construction expected to begin on the first 43-mile section in mid-2003. When completed by Dec. 31, 2003, Colonial deliveries to Knoxville will have risen to 125,000 b/d from the current 80,000 b/d of products.
The expansion—which includes the addition of larger pumps and motors that will move product through the pipeline—ultimately will increase Colonial's deliveries to Knoxville to 180,000 b/d of products.
Upon completion of the project, Colonial will serve Knoxville with a new pipeline that originates in Atlanta, and the existing 10-in. line will be idled.
Colonial representatives are meeting with landowners along the pipeline route to obtain permissions required by the new construction.