In response to significant interest from customers needing transportation capacity to meet the demands of the growing Northeast market, Algonquin Gas Transmission will hold a binding open season March 7-20 on its proposed East-to-West Expansion.

In November the pipeline announced the results of a related, nonbinding open season, which ended Oct. 27, saying shippers signaled that they may need more than 2 Bcf/d of new capacity to meet the demands of the growing Northeast market (see Daily GPI, Nov. 10, 2006).

“Market interest in the East-to-West project exceeded the proposed expansion plans we announced last fall,” said Bill Yardley, group vice president for Spectra Energy, owner of the Algonquin system. “We believe this project will help our customers better serve their markets through new supplies sourced from the eastern end of our Algonquin system, including new LNG-sourced supply.”

Spectra said the advantages of the East-to-West Expansion include:

The project, expected to be in service by Nov. 1, 2009, will use existing mainline infrastructure, adding incremental expansion as needed. Plans include using existing rights of way, where practical, to minimize environmental and landowner impacts. Final design of the project will depend on shipper commitment.

Interested shippers should contact Doreen Wrick by 5 p.m. EST Tuesday, March 20 at 617-560-1536.

Tuesday, Spectra announced its involvement in a partnership to develop 10 Bcf of market-area gas storage in Pennsylvania (see Daily GPI, March 7).

©Copyright 2007Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news reportmay not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in anyform, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.