Coastal Corp.'s Wyoming-California Pipeline Co. (WyCal) plans to begin laying pipe late this year on its 30 in. gas pipeline from Wyoming to California.
The pipeline is the first major interstate project among those proposed to serve the California market to proceed with construction.
WyCal last week said it has received firm, long term, transportation commitments for enough gas to proceed with construction of the $665 million, 1,000 mile project (see map, OGJ, Oct. 16, 1989, p. 36).
Construction contracts are to be let during this year's second half. Deliveries are to start by late 1991.
CAPACITY COMMITMENTS
WyCal has firm capacity commitments totaling 530 MMcfd of gas.
That exceeds the volume from Wyoming to California presently certified by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Gas shippers that have signed agreements for firm transportation with WyCal and their volume commitments are Southwest Gas Corp. 200 MMcfd, Union Pacific Resources Co. 100 MMcfd, Southern California Edison Co. 50 MMcfd, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. 50 MMcfd, Natural Gas Clearinghouse 50 MMcfd, LFC Gas Co. 50 MMcfd, and Coastal Oil & Gas Corp. 30 MMcfd.
In addition, WyCal has a pending commitment for 100 MMcfd from Long Beach and an option for 75 MMcfd from Southern California Gas Co.
"Since WyCal was originally conceived, the gas requirements of the California market have changed from solely enhanced oil recovery demand to include incremental growth and supply diversification for existing gas users," said WyCal Pres. D. Lamar Smith.
"As a result, WyCal filed with FERC in October for approval of alternative pipeline configurations within California that are in addition to the company's presently certified route that ends near Bakersfield."
Start of construction awaits approval in a final environmental review by FERC. WyCal is conducting a final walkthrough of the pipeline corridor to determine if any endangered species and historical sites have been overlooked.
The company also is involved in final engineering and right-of-way work for the certificated system. The company will begin construction of the certificated line while FERC reviews the alternative configurations.
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