Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline officials began constructionof the 203-mile mainline that will extend from outside theU.S.-Canada border near Baileyville, ME, to Westbrook, ME.Maritimes and its Canadian affiliate will transport gas from theSable Offshore Energy Project off the coast of Nova Scotia tomarkets in Atlantic Canada and the Northeast U.S. Constructionbegins with the clearing and grading of the right-of-way along thedesignated route followed thereafter by ditching and pipeinstallation. Earlier this year, Maritimes successfully completedthe horizontal directional drill crossings of the Androscoggin andSt. Croix Rivers.

Reliant Energy Services Inc. agreed to a long term agreement tobuy gas from Quicksilver Resources Inc. Quicksilver is to supply25,000 MMBtu/d, or 91 Bcf over a 10-year period, with guaranteedpayments exceeding $225 million. “This transaction is a greatexample of the business partnerships we are forming with ourcustomers as well as with our suppliers,” said Tamela W. Pallas,senior vice president of Reliant Energy Services. “Securingadditional long-term supplies of natural gas is a very importantcomponent of our business strategy. Quicksilver brings thefinancial strength and reserve base we need for a strong supplypartnership.”

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