Construction of TransCanada Corp.’s 36-in. OD, 485-mile, Keystone Gulf Coast Pipeline (KGCP) is slightly behind schedule, according to Genscape Inc.’s most recent aerial surveillance of the project Aug. 18. TransCanada described construction on Aug. 20 as more than 90% complete, with an expected in-service date of yearend. Genscape believes this estimate to be optimistic and sees first-quarter 2014 as more realistic. The bulk of work remaining on the project is centered on the Cushing pumping station and along the pipeline right-of-way, Genscape said.
At TransCanada’s Cushing terminal, four of the seven newly constructed tanks have hydrotested with a fifth tank currently hydrotesting. Mixer installation and tank pipeline connections, however, have yet to be completed for any of the seven new tanks, Genscape said. Genscape believes completed tank capacity and associated connections are necessary for KGCP’s 3.2-million bbl initial linefill and that it will take 40-60 days to fill the line once construction is complete. The terminal, when complete, will have 2.25-million bbl of storage.
Genscape observed exposed pipe near the Tupelo, Bryan, Delta, and Lake Tyler, Tex. sites. It observed crews working on pipeline connectivity along the ROW. The Cromwell, Bryan, and Winnsboro pumping stations each have four pumps installed, according to Genscape, and pipeline infrastructure looks to be nearing completion. Ground preparation continues at the Tupelo, Delta, and Lake Tyler facilities.
KGCP will ship oil from Cushing, Okla., to Nederland, Tex., with an initial capacity of 700 million b/d, expandable to 830 million b/d.
