Houston Pipe Line Co. LP (HPL) has filed an application seeking FERC authorization to build border-crossing facilities at the international border between the United States and Mexico to export and/or import natural gas between the two nations.

The Houston-based intrastate pipeline is proposing to extend its system by approximately 23 miles from a point on its existing 24-inch diameter Edinburg Lateral in Hidalgo County, TX, to the proposed border-crossing facility; and a short stub line on the Mexico side of the international border, which would redeliver gas supplies into the pipeline system (Pemex Pipeline) owned by Pemex Pipeline S.De R.I. de C.V.

HPL has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to act on its request by Feb. 1 so that it can begin service for the proposed border-crossing project by June 1, assuming it receives regulatory approval.

HPL’s facilities extend from East Texas to areas along the Gulf Coast in South Texas. It estimates that it can transport approximately 5.3 Bcf/d through its system.

The pipeline said it plans to file an application with the Department of Energy under Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act for short-term authorization to import and export natural gas from Mexico at any point on the border between the United States and Mexico.