Columbia Gulf Transmission Co., a unit of NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage (NGT&S), is holding a binding open season for capacity to move gas through its East Lateral downstream to interconnections with Southern Natural Gas (SNG) and Bridgeline Holdings.

Through addition of compression on its East Lateral, Columbia Gulf anticipates being able to offer incremental service of 235,000 Dth/d, connecting to SNG’s East Leg system near Venice, LA, and to Bridgeline’s system at Golden Meadow, LA. The project is designed to bring gas to supply short legs of both the SNG and Bridgeline systems to serve the growing needs of gas-fired generation and industrial markets in the southeast corridor.

Last fall, in response to what it said was growing demand to connect Columbia Gulf’s diverse supply mix with growing markets in the southeast, NGT&S announced an open season for expanded capacity to Florida Gas Transmission (see NGI, Oct. 29, 2007). NGT&S said that project would expand Columbia Gulf’s existing facilities near Lafayette, LA, by 180,000 Dth/day for a total deliverability of 300,000 Dth/day, an increase achieved through the addition of compression at Columbia Gulf’s Rayne compressor station and pipeline facilities on its East Lateral in South Louisiana. The service was projected to be available June 1.

“Following on the heels of Columbia Gulf’s expansion to serve Florida Gas Transmission, this is another growth project in our continuing effort to link expanding Perryville supply with high-value markets,” said NGT&S President Chris Helms.

Depending on market response and pending all necessary regulatory approvals, Columbia Gulf anticipates an in-service date during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Interested parties can submit bids by April 11 by contacting Beth Medlin at (713) 267-4756 or bmedlin@nisource.com, or Pete Brastrom at (713) 267-4735 or pbrastrom@nisource.com.

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