Williams yesterday said it is holding an open season throughJune 1 for annual firm service to be created by Transco’s SundanceExpansion Project. The expansion is intended to serve growing powergeneration, residential and commercial gas markets in thesoutheastern United States and is proposed to be in service byApril 2002. Sundance would expand the Transco system from Station65 in Louisiana to Station 165 in Virginia.

Williams said the expansion is positioned to serve gas-fired powerplants recently announced by Carolina Power & Light, as well asfacilities providing gas to eastern North Carolina. Williams recentlyannounced its interest in working with the Albermarle Regional EnergyAuthority (AREA) to serve several counties in eastern North Carolinathat have not previously had gas service (see Daily GPI April 9, 1999). Williams hasproposed to jointly develop with AREA transmission and distributionfacilities to serve North Carolina counties Camden, Currituck, Chowan,Pasquotank, and Perquimans. Williams plans to apply for a portion of$200 million in bond funds North Carolina is making available tofoster gas infrastructure development.

“We believe that the Sundance Project will provide a morecost-effective and reliable means of serving the growing powergeneration markets in Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and southernVirginia than any proposed greenfield pipeline project,” said CubaWadlington Jr., general manager Williams Gas Pipeline-Transco.”Also, we expect this project will create opportunities to expandlocal infrastructure, including the Cardinal Pipeline in NorthCarolina and local distribution systems along the Transco system,in order to optimize the utilization of these facilities. This willultimately benefit both electric and natural gas consumersresulting in lower costs and encouraging economic development withminimal impact to the environment.”

Shippers may elect to subscribe to capacity from Station 65 inTransco’s Zone 3 or certain receipt points in Zone 4. Transco saidit intends to seek rolled-in rate treatment for project costs. Formore information, call Orlando Alvarado, (713)215-3378, or HelenLaughlin, (713)215-3773.

Wednesday Columbia Gulf Transmission, AGL Resources, and MCN EnergyGroup began a six-week open season offering up to 250,000 Dth/d ofcapacity on their proposed Volunteer Pipeline, which would serve theSoutheast (see Daily GPI April 15,1999).

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