Williams Partners LP’s Northwest Pipeline GP has received authorization from FERC to place its 30-inch diameter mainline loop, known as the Sundance Trail Expansion, into service.

The project includes about 15.5 miles of pipeline and related facilities that will provide 150,000 Dth/d of firm capacity from the Greasewood and Meeker/White River hubs in Rio Blanco County, CO, to the Opal Hub area in Lincoln County, WY. Northwest replaced and added compression at its Vernal Compressor Station in Uintah County, UT. The project cost about $56 million.

“Completion of the Sundance Trail Expansion allows us to meet demand for transportation capacity to move gas from the prolific Piceance Basin to the Opal Hub,” said Phil Wright, president of Williams’ gas pipeline business. “At the Opal Hub gas producers benefit from significant supply options due to the accessibility of six interstate pipelines, including Northwest.”

Northwest filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a certificate for the project in May 2009 (see Daily GPI, May 21, 2009) and received FERC approval last December. Construction began last April.

Northwest’s mainline is connected to the Piceance Basin at the Greasewood Hub through its Piceance Lateral and the Meeker/White River hubs through Northwest’s Colorado Hub Connection pipeline and related facilities.

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