Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC plans to place its 303-mile natural gas transmission pipeline in service early-2021. The project, to be operated by EQM Midstream Partners LP, is 92% complete.
Mountain Valley’s three compressor stations are 100% complete and its three original certificated interconnects are 100% complete with a fourth approved for construction in 2020. About 80% of the pipeline work is complete including 264 miles of 42-in. OD pipe welded and in place and restoration of 50% of the right-of-way.
The pipeline will carry 2 bcfd of Marcellus and Utica shale production from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia.
The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in October 2019 issued a stop-work order on the project, pending completion of a biological opinion. Mountain Valley has been working on environmental stabilization and restoration in the meantime as well as maintenance of existing erosion and sediment controls.
Mountain Valley said the 2021 in-service date includes continued timing uncertainty regarding permits for a 3.7-mile crossing of the Jefferson National Forest and Appalachian Trail and waterbody crossings totaling about 10 miles.
The company projects a 5% cost increase above the $5.4 billion estimated.
Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC is a joint venture of EQM Midstream, NextEra Capital Holdings Inc., Con Edison Transmission Inc., WGL Midstream, Inc., and RGC Midstream LLC.
