Three finalists have been selected by Mexico’s Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) to construct and operate the Empalme Gas Pipeline Branch in the state of Sonora. The $35 million project will connect the Sasabe-Guaymas and Guaymas-El Oro pipelines with about 12 miles of 16- and 20-inch diameter pipeline. It is to have capacity of 226 MMcf/d and will serve two new combined-cycle power plants in Sonora: Empalme I (770 MW) and Empalme II (791 MW). The three finalists are Arendal, S. de R.L. de C.V.; Gasoducto de Aguaprieta, S. de R.L. de C.V.; and Gas Natural Del Noroeste S.A. de C.V. According to a CFE data sheet for the project, the target date for a contract award is May 2 with commercial operation expected in May 2017.