The capacity of natural gas pipelines reached an all-time highof more than 84 Bcf/d or 30.7 Tcf/year in 1997, according to areported released Friday by the Energy Information Administration.”This represents a 15% increase over installed capacity reported in1990,” EIA said in a report: “Deliverability on the InterstateNatural Gas Pipeline System.” Flowing gas increased 24% between1990 and 1996, resulting in a record high 75% utilization rate,while U.S. consumption grew by 17%, fed by a doubling of imports.U.S. production increased 6%.

Since 1990 “significant changes in traditional patterns of gasmovement have occurred,” EIA said. “Gas from western and RockyMountain producing areas is increasingly being routed away fromwestern markets.” Rockies gas is heading to the Midwest, while WestTexas and New Mexico gas is aimed at eastern markets.

Capacity growth has been greatest in the three Canada-to-USpipeline corridors, and those corridors have been the most heavilyused, operating at over 85% most of the year, EIA said. Thatcapacity has grown over 4 Bcf/d or 69%. And it is the Canada-to-UScapacity that is expected to show the most growth over the nextseveral years, including a whole new corridor for Sable Island gas.Expansions in the Canadian export capacity could total 8.6 Bcf/dover the next three years.

EIA said about 78% of the system’s capability during the 12months ending March 31, 1997 was reserved under firm transportationcontracts. However, only about two/thirds of the capacity wasactually utilized by firm service contract holders. The report canbe accessed here.Printed copies will be available from the Government PrintingOffice on or before May 27. Call 202-512-1800 or at EIA202-586-8800.

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