TransCanada Corp.’s ANR Pipeline secured almost 2 Bcf/d of firm natural gas transportation commitments on its Southeast Main Line (SEML) at maximum rates for an average term of 23 years during a recent open season.

“Essentially, 100% of the existing firm capacity on the ANR Southeast Main Line system has now been subscribed, and TransCanada is reviewing several options for further expansion to accommodate additional volumes,” said TransCanada CEO Russ Girling.

About 1.25 Bcf/d of the capacity will be available this year, with the remaining volume coming online in 2015. The project is one of several by multiple pipelines to access Northeast natural gas and liquids supplies (see Shale Daily, March 12).

Last week, Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP’s Texas Gas announced projects to carry gas out of the Marcellus/Utica shale region (see Shale Daily, March 28). Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP and MarkWest Utica EMG LLC have partnered on the Utica Marcellus Texas Pipeline project to convert existing pipeline from natural gas to natural gas liquids service to the Gulf Coast. Late last year, Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. LLC completed a successful open season for incremental, north-to-south gas transportation capacity on the Tennessee Gas Pipeline system totaling 500,000 Dth/d (see Shale Daily, Dec. 20, 2013).

ANR has secured contracts on available capacity on the SEML to move Utica and Marcellus gas to points north and south on the system. This includes most recently securing 600 MMcf/d as part of a reversal project on the SEML system. This project will enhance existing bi-directional flow capability that will allow more natural gas to move south to the Gulf Coast, where markets are experiencing a resurgence of natural gas demand for industrial use, as well as significant new demand related to natural gas exports from recently approved liquefaction terminals.

The pipeline said it is assessing the potential to expand its system to bring more gas out of the Utica.