NiSource Inc. unit Columbia Gulf Transmission Co. launched an open season for firm capacity on a proposed expansion and extension of its East Lateral system in South Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.

Columbia Gulf proposes expanding its onshore system and extending its East Lateral by about 90 miles from Venice, LA, to Pascagoula, MS, where it would interconnect with Gulfstream Natural Gas System LLC and potentially other area pipelines. Gulfstream extends across the Gulf of Mexico from Mobile Bay to near Tampa, delivering more than 1.1 Bcf/d of gas to Florida markets.

“This pipeline project is designed to expand Columbia Gulf’s strategic geographic footprint and serve as a means for providing our suppliers with valuable access to additional market outlets in the Southeast and to Florida,” said Christopher Helms, NiSource pipeline group president. “We believe that these new markets complement NiSource’s existing path to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, offering a variety of options for currently constrained production in East Texas and northern Louisiana aggregated at the Perryville Hub.”

The open season for firm capacity for a minimum of 10 years runs through 4:30 p.m. CST Friday, March 3. For a bid form contact Pete Brastrom at (713) 267-4735 or pbrastrom@nisource.com, or John McNamara at (713) 267-4737 or jmcnamara@nisource.com.

Additionally, Columbia Gulf said it is auctioning 500,000 Dth/d of available capacity on its East Lateral from Centerville, LA, to Rayne, LA. The open season begins at 9 a.m. CST Tuesday Feb. 14, and closes at 9 a.m. Tuesday Feb. 21. Service is available under existing rate schedule FTS-2 for a minimum term of 10 years. For additional information, contact customer service team No. 4 at (304) 357-3703 or csteam4@nisource.com.

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