Kinder Morgan begins service on expanded northern California pipeline

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 3 -- Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, Houston, has begun transporting gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel on its new 70-mile replacement common-carrier pipeline between Concord, Calif., and Sacramento.

In the $95 million North Line expansion, KM rerouted portions of existing pipeline away from environmentally sensitive areas and residential neighborhoods and replaced a 14-in. products pipeline with a new 20-in. line.

The northern California expansion increased the system's products capacity to 175,000 b/d, and provided necessary infrastructure to meet long-term transportation demand. Adding horsepower in the future could increase maximum capacity to 200,000 b/d, the company said.

KMP's North Line originates near the Bay Area refineries and serves northern California terminals in Brisbane, Bradshaw, Chico, Fresno, and San Jose, as well as Reno, Nev.