Williams advancing Leidy South, REA Transco expansions

Williams Cos. Inc. expects to bring Transco’s 582-MMcfd Leidy South natural gas pipeline expansion project into operation by first-quarter 2022. The project will increase transmission capacity between Appalachian production and markets along the Atlantic seaboard.

 Leidy South will use Transco’s existing transmission corridor and includes construction of two greenfield compressor stations. Supply for the project is fully subscribed under 15-year contracts with Seneca Resources Co. LLC, Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., and UGI Corp. (OGJ Online, July 20, 2020).

Williams in first-quarter 2021 applied with the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for its Regional Energy Access (REA) pipeline expansion, an additional 829-MMcfd expansion of Transco serving the northeast US. Construction of REA is expected to begin third-quarter 2022 to be in service by the 2023-24 winter heating season. Work includes:

• New compressor station (Station 201) in Gloucester County, NJ.
• 22.3 miles of 30-in. lateral in Luzerne County, Pa.
• 13.8 miles of 42-in. loop in Monroe County, Pa.
• Modifications to five existing compressor stations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
• Modifications to existing meter stations.

Williams first-quarter 2021 net income increased $943 million from first-quarter 2020, reaching $425 million. The increase reflects in part the absence of $1.2 billion in pre-tax charges present in first-quarter 2020. Higher-commodity margins also contributed $128 million to the difference and recently acquired upstream operations contributed $21 million.