Vector Pipeline launches open season between Chicago, Ontario

Oct. 29, 2009
Vector Pipeline announced a binding open season to begin in November to secure shipper interest in a third expansion of its 348-mile natural gas pipeline system between the Chicago Hub and storage at Dawn, Ont.

Christopher E. Smith
OGJ Pipeline Editor

HOUSTON, Oct. 29 -- Vector Pipeline announced a binding open season to begin in November to secure shipper interest in a third expansion of its 348-mile natural gas pipeline system between the Chicago Hub and storage at Dawn, Ont. The proposed 2011 Expansion would add up to 115 MMcfd of long-haul capacity to the US portion of the system via two additional compressors. Vector also could add short-haul capacity between Washington, Mich., and Dawn by adding a loop to the system.

Vector will take bids for firm capacity between Nov. 2 and Nov. 30 and expects any capacity expansion to enter service by November 2011, pending regulatory approvals.

Vector ascribed the expansion plans to a combination of increasing demand at Dawn, storage expansion in southeastern Michigan and southwestern Ontario, and expanded access to Rocky Mountain supplies. The Rockies Express, Rockies Alliance, and Pathfinder pipeline projects are all examples of new pipelines either already operating or under development to bring Rockies gas to the Midwest (OGJ, Feb. 9, 2009, p. 55).

Vector’s 2009 Expansion, which included a new compressor station near Athens, Mich., entered service this month boosting the line’s capacity to about 1.3 bcfd from about 1.2 bcfd.

Contact Christopher E. Smith at [email protected].