El Paso Energy Corp. announced an open season for a newlyproposed 175 MMcf/d interstate pipeline between the Raton Basin andthe interstate pipelines of El Paso Natural Gas and NorthernNatural Gas in Moore County, TX. The open season began last weekand will conclude on Jan. 7 at 5 p.m. (MST).

The pipeline facilities will provide capacity to producers fromthe Raton Basin, located near New Mexico’s border with Colorado, todownstream markets. It also will provide various markets greateraccess to Raton Basin’s coal-bed methane supplies, the companysaid.

Based on the supporting firm transportation contracts resultingfrom this open season, El Paso will file with FERC in the firstquarter of 2000 to construct this pipeline facility. Subject to atimely FERC order, El Paso anticipates it will complete theconstruction as early as July 1, 2001.

Although a name for this pipeline has not been formallyestablished the project is currently being referred to as the DumasGas Transmission Project. It consists of approximately 185 miles of24-inch O.D. pipeline and appurtenant facilities, from a pointlocated in the Van Bremmer Canyon, Colfax County, NM to MooreCounty, TX.

For more information or assistance please contract Jerry Strangeat (915) 496-3139 or Harvey Rodman at (915) 496-5055.

John Norris

©Copyright 1999 Intelligence Press, Inc. All rightsreserved. The preceding news report may not be republished orredistributed in whole or in part without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.