In an effort to transport natural gas supplies from off the coast of Nova Scotia to markets in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, El Paso Corp. said that it has begun engineering studies for the 1 Bcf/d Blue Atlantic Transmission System. The company has gathered a coalition of technical expertise from both countries to address the specific design and technology issues involved in constructing the proposed 750-mile, 36-inch offshore pipeline.

Under the proposed plan, the estimated US$1.6 billion pipeline will follow a subsea route from the production area near Sable Island to a location on the southern coast of Nova Scotia, then continuing subsea to landing points in the New York and New Jersey areas. The coalition said it expects to complete the preliminary engineering studies by the end of 2002.

El Paso has enlisted Tulsa-based Willbros Engineers Inc. to provide overall project management services to assist in the siting and design for the pipeline and related facilities. Additional members of the coalition include Trow Consulting Engineers, Ltd. of Brampton, ON; Accent Engineering Consultants Inc. of Halifax, NS; and Project Consulting Services Inc. of New Orleans.

“We are pleased to have such a competent alliance team working on the Blue Atlantic technical development effort,” said Jack P. Lucido, vice president of major projects, engineering for El Paso Eastern Pipeline Group. “This coalition brings both Canadian and United States experience to our project. Each team member provides specialized areas of expertise that complement the overall project technical development and promote international technology transfer.”

El Paso said Blue Atlantic will provide southwest Nova Scotia with the first access to natural gas and the first direct link to the New York and New Jersey markets from anticipated supplies near Sable Island. Demand for natural gas in the region is expected to increase an additional 685 MMcf/d by 2005, growing to an incremental 2 Bcf/d by the end of the decade.

El Paso previously retained the services of Halifax-based Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd. and the U.S. firm ENSR Corp. to begin the detailed environmental work required for the project.

The company is still seeking input from various regulatory and government organizations as well as working with local communities and special interest groups to address specific issues regarding the project. Once the pipeline route has been determined and all necessary environmental investigations have been completed, El Paso will seek approval for installation from governing agencies in both Canada and the United States. The company anticipates that the project could be in service by the fourth quarter of 2005.

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