Trunkline Gas Co. is holding a nonbinding open season to determine interest in a proposed connection with Vector Pipeline. The VectorConnector Project would add about 16 miles of pipeline from Trunkline’s Elkhart, IN, meter station to a new connection with Vector in St. Joseph County, MI.

Southern Union Co., parent of Trunkline, said the project would include construction of a new compressor station at the beginning of the new pipeline and could include additional pipeline looping of Trunkline’s mainline system depending on shipper demand. Trunkline said the project would offer up to 650 MMcf/d of additional capacity.

If the project moves forward, an in-service date in late 2009 is expected. Whether the project is undertaken and pipeline diameter and scope will be determined by the open season, which began June 1 and runs through 3 p.m. CDT July 2.

VectorConnector would make Trunkline capable of flowing gas bidirectionally between the upper Midwest and the Gulf Coast based on the needs of customers and prevailing market conditions.

“Trunkline is uniquely positioned to connect various supply regions such as the Midcontinent, Texas and the Gulf Coast, which also includes liquefied natural gas supplies, to growing markets,” said Rob Bond, Southern Union senior vice president of pipeline operations. “The VectorConnector would not only connect supplies with the upper Midwest demand, but with Michigan and Canadian storage hubs as well. This open season will give us an indication of the amount of capacity our customers are looking for and provide us with the information necessary to make a final investment decision.”

Vector is currently holding a binding open season to test interest in up to 230 MMcf/d of additional system capacity (see Daily GPI, May 7). Vector currently is being expanded (Phase I) from its nominal capacity of 1 Bcf/d to approximately 1.2 Bcf/d through the addition of two compression stations, which are targeted for in-service on Nov. 1. The proposed Phase II expansion would require, at a minimum, the construction of another compression station, adding between 100 MMcf/d to 230 MMcf/d of capacity.

Trunkline recently received environmental approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for an expansion of its system in Texas and Louisiana called the Field Zone expansion (see Daily GPI, March 7).

For more information on Trunkline’s VectorConnector open season, contact Greg Myers, (713) 989-7640, greg.myers@sug.com.

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