Columbia Energy Group’s subsidiary Cove Point LNG Ltd.partnership said Friday it had completed its open season for firmLNG tanker discharging service at its terminal on the Marylandcoast.

Cove Point also executed binding precedent agreements with CoralLNG Inc., El Paso Merchant Energy – Gas L.P. and with a subsidiaryof BP Amoco Corp. that subscribed for the service offered in theopen season. The agreements be effective following regulatoryapproval.

Cove Pont began its open season process for the service in February(see Daily GPI, Feb. 20), whichinitially will provide 4.25 Bcf of storage capacity and 750,000 Dth/dof terminal and pipeline capacity to accommodate LNG imports by thethree customers. The open season and the agreements also provide for a2.5 Bcf (vapor equivalent) storage capacity expansion of Cove Point.

Soon, Cove Point expects to file an application with FERC thatwould allow the LNG discharge service, and also to re-commissionCove Point’s marine facilities. The application also would allowthe Lusby, MD terminal to construct new facilities. Currently, theCove Point terminal includes liquefied gas storage and terminaloperations, and an 87-mile gas pipeline that connects with gaspipelines in Northern Virginia.

Carolyn Davis, Houston

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