NORTHWEST GAS PIPELINE PLANS EXPANSION

Northwest Pipeline Corp., Salt Lake City, last week asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve a major expansion of its gas transmission system. Northwest proposes to expand the capacity of its system by 534 MMcfd from the current 2 bcfd at an estimated cost of $446 million. The expansion will consist of 612 miles of pipeline loops, addition of about 150,000 hp of compression at 11 new and 10 existing compressor stations, and the replacement and/or requalification of 104 miles of

Jan. 7, 1991

Northwest Pipeline Corp., Salt Lake City, last week asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve a major expansion of its gas transmission system.

Northwest proposes to expand the capacity of its system by 534 MMcfd from the current 2 bcfd at an estimated cost of $446 million.

The expansion will consist of 612 miles of pipeline loops, addition of about 150,000 hp of compression at 11 new and 10 existing compressor stations, and the replacement and/or requalification of 104 miles of existing line.

R.W. Keener, president of Northwest Pipeline, said the proposed expansion is in response to requests from Northwest's customers for more firm transportation capacity.

Contracts for the new capacity have been signed by shippers, reflecting the market's need for the expansion, Keener said.

The contracts call for firm transportation service during a minimum term of 15 years. Northwest has filed for cost recovery on a rolled in basis with its existing facilities.

Northwest hopes to receive FERC approval of the project this year and begin construction early in 1992.

The company is aiming for start-up Jan. 1, 1993.