Cheniere Energy Inc.-backed Midship Pipeline Co. LLC is seeking authorization from FERC to begin construction of portions of its Midcontinent Supply Header Interstate Pipeline Project (MIDSHIP), a 1.44 Bcf/d natural gas pipeline that would move supply from the prolific Anadarko Basin to the Gulf Coast for potential export.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a final environmental impact statement for the project in June and approved construction in August [CP17-458].

In a filing Thursday, Midship asked FERC to authorize site preparation, pre-construction and construction activities for three pipeline segments and associated above ground facilities, contractor yards and access roads. The pipeline segments are Mainline MP 0.0 to Mainline MP 119.1 (Velma lateral, Segment 1), Mainline MP 147.0 to Mainline MP 186.3 (Segment 2), and Mainline MP 198.4 to Mainline MP 199.7 (Segment 3).

Midship requested authorization “at the earliest date possible, but no later than Nov. 1, 2018, in order to meet its schedule,” according to the filing.

Other portions of the pipeline are still undergoing cultural resources reviews “and will be requested at a later time once all clearances have been received,” Midship said.

MIDSHIP as designed would transport supply to existing gas pipelines near Bennington, OK, for subsequent transport to Gulf Coast and Southeast markets. The pipeline would carry gas from Oklahoma’s Sooner Trend of the Anadarko Basin, mostly in Canadian and Kingfisher counties and the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province — aka the STACK and SCOOP plays.

The 36-inch diameter mainline would run about 200 miles through Oklahoma’s prolific Kingfisher, Canadian, Grady, Garvin, Carter, Johnston and Bryan counties. Included is a 30-inch diameter, 20.5-mile lateral in Kingfisher County; a 16-inch diameter, 13.8-mile lateral in Stephens, Carter and Garvin counties; and 24-inch diameter tie-in piping for 0.1-miles in Canadian County.

MIDSHIP also plans to build three compressor stations and a booster station totaling 118,400 hp, as well as receipt and delivery meters and other associated facilities.

Binding commitments totaling 825 MMcf/d are in place from Devon Gas Services LP, Marathon Oil Co., Gulfport Energy Corp. and Cheniere’s planned Corpus Christi Liquefaction LLC liquefied natural gas export project underway in South Texas.

Midship Pipeline is owned by Midship Holdings LLC, which in turn is indirectly owned by Cheniere, as well as funds and companies managed or owned by EIG Management Co.