The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has advanced three major US natural gas infrastructure projects, fast-tracking a proposed Gulf Coast pipeline and moving multibillion-dollar expansions in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic closer to construction and service.

Gulf South secures FAST-41 review

Gulf South Pipeline Co. LLC's $1.4-billion Texas Gateway Project has been accepted into the federal FAST-41 permitting program, placing the proposed 1.45-bcfd natural gas pipeline system on an expedited federal review schedule.

The project, operated by Gulf South Pipeline Co., a subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipelines, would connect East Texas gas supplies with growing demand from LNG export plants, power generators, and industrial users along the Louisiana Gulf Coast. Plans call for 155 miles of new 36-in. and 42-in. OD pipeline extending from Carthage, Tex., to the Gillis Hub in Beauregard Parish, La., a new compressor station in San Jacinto County, Tex., and modifications at two existing compressor stations.

Gulf South also plans upgrades that would enable its existing Index 129 pipeline to reverse flows by as much as 600,000 dekatherms/day (Dth/d) to deliver gas to the Gillis Hub.

FAST-41 is part of a broad federal and FERC policy push to accelerate critical energy infrastructure approvals. The program compresses the federal review process to about 12-14 months from the usual 18-25 months. FERC’s final approval for Texas Gateway could come in second-half 2027, with targeted operations beginning in 2028.

Kinder Morgan projects near final approval

FERC staff on June 26 issued a final environmental impact statement (EIS) for Kinder Morgan Inc.'s South System Expansion 4 (SSE4) and Mississippi Crossing (MSX) projects, clearing another hurdle toward commission approval.

The final EIS concluded that project impacts would be less than significant with recommended avoidance and mitigation measures.

Together, the projects represent more than $5 billion of investment and include 485 miles of pipeline intended to relieve constraints across the Southeast and supply LNG facilities and expanding power-generation markets in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.

SSE4, being developed by Elba Express Co. and Southern Natural Gas Co. (SNG), would cost about $3.5 billion. Elba Express is a Kinder Morgan subsidiary, while SNG is owned equally by Kinder Morgan and Southern Co.

The project includes 279 miles of pipeline looping along the existing SNG system and upgrades at 13 compressor stations. The expansions would increase eastbound capacity by about 1.3 bcfd.

Kinder Morgan plans to place Phase 1 in service in fourth-quarter 2028 and Phase 2 in fourth-quarter 2029.

The separate $1.7-billion MSX project includes 206 miles of new 36-in. and 42-in. OD pipeline from Greenville, Miss., to an interconnect near Butler, Ala. The project also includes three new compressor stations and would add as much as 2.1 bcfd of firm transportation capacity.

Owned and operated by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., a Kinder Morgan subsidiary, MSX would connect Marcellus-Utica and Haynesville gas supplies with the SSE4 system and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co.'s Station 85 market hub. The project could enter service as early as second-quarter 2028.

FERC clears MVP Southgate construction

FERC on June 24 authorized Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC to begin construction of its $524-million Southgate Expansion in North Carolina.

The authorization followed a June ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit that rejected a challenge by environmental groups seeking to overturn state-issued water quality permits.

The approval effectively concludes a decade-long permitting effort for the 31.3-mile pipeline extension from the existing Mountain Valley Pipeline terminus in Pittsylvania County, Va., to Rockingham County, NC.

The 36-in. OD pipeline would transport up to 500,000 Dth/d and connect with Enbridge Inc.'s East Tennessee Natural Gas system and Dominion Energy North Carolina to serve growing power-generation demand.

The line is operated by EQT Corp. and owned by EQT, NextEra Energy Inc., AltaGas Ltd., and RGC Resources Inc. Southgate is expected to enter service in 2028.