Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP’s Gulf South Pipeline Co. LP completed remediation of anomalies on its East Texas and Southeast pipeline projects and has received authorization to operate the pipelines at standard operating pressures, the company said Tuesday.

“We have made significant progress on our pipeline anomaly remediation efforts and all of our 42-inch [diameter] pipeline projects can now operate at standard operating pressures,” said Boardwalk CEO Rolf Gafvert. “We are performing additional tests and will continue to work cooperatively with PHMSA [Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration] in order to obtain the authority to operate these projects at higher operating pressures.”

Late in June Boardwalk said its 356-mile Gulf Crossing Pipeline had completed remediation of pipe anomalies and had been given the green light by the Department of Transportation to operate the pipeline at normal operating pressures of up to 72% of the specified minimum yield strength (see Daily GPI, July 1). Last week Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services revised its outlook on Boardwalk to “negative” from “stable” and affirmed its “BBB” corporate credit rating, in part due to concerns over pipe remediation (see Daily GPI, July 27).

The East Texas Pipeline consists of approximately 242 miles of 42-inch diameter pipeline and originates near DeSoto Parish in northwestern Louisiana and proceeds to Harrisville, MS. The Southeast Expansion project consists of approximately 111 miles of 42-inch diameter pipeline and originates near Harrisville and extends to an interconnect with Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. in Choctaw Country, AL (Transco Station 85).

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