Bluewater Gas Storage has applied to FERC for authorization to construct and operate a 300 MMcf/d pipeline to maintain the U.S. portion of a connection between its facilities in St. Clair County, MI, and an existing pipeline in St. Clair Township, Ontario.

The project would include less than one-third of a mile of 20-inch diameter pipeline from a valve site and vent at the interconnection to Bluewater’s storage facilities to the international border within the St. Clair River. Bluewater is not proposing any increase in its overall certificated daily injection or withdrawal capabilities.

Houston-based Bluewater currently utilizes leased capacity to import and export up to 250 MMcf/d at the border on a pipeline operated by Nova Chemicals, but those leases will terminate next January, according to documents filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Bluewater is seeking authorization to build and operate the St. Clair River Crossing Replacement Project, which would replace the expiring leased capacity.

“The proposed facilities and requested authorizations will allow Bluewater to avoid an interruption in the service that it provides its customers,” Bluewater said in the 534-page filing. At the same time, St. Clair Pipelines LP is seeking permission from Canada’s National Energy Board to construct a replacement pipeline and associated facilities in Canada to interconnect with Bluewater’s proposed pipeline at the border, Bluewater said.

Bluewater asked FERC to give its approval by May 31 in order for the project to be completed before the existing leases expire.

Bluewater’s natural gas storage facilities include two Niagaran reef storage reservoirs with a combined working capacity of 29 Bcf, a combined maximum peak withdrawal rate of 826 MMcf/d and a combined maximum peak injection rate of 508 MMcf/d, along with a pipeline header system consisting of about 30 miles of 20-inch pipe.

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