Enbridge Energy Partners said it has purchased the right of way and awarded the pipeline contract for a new 107-mile, 36-inch diameter East Texas expansion project that is scheduled to be built starting this fall.

The 500 MMcf/d pipeline will originate at the partnership’s existing facilities near Bethel in Anderson County and will terminate at the Enbridge Carthage Hub in Panola County. It is designed to relieve transportation constraints now faced by producers from regional plays, including the Bossier Sands and Barnett Shale.

“We are impressed with the strong support received from producers in the region for construction of this strategic link to key markets served by the Carthage Hub,” said Enbridge Energy Co. President Dan C. Tutcher. “With this level of commitment, we are confident that this new transmission pipeline, to be constructed just south of our existing East and Northeast Texas systems, will quickly provide economical and direct access to markets through both the Carthage Hub and other interconnections in the region.”

The construction contract was awarded to IPSCO Inc. The anticipated in-service date for the pipeline is June 2005. Existing shippers and potential customers seeking additional information about the expansion should contact John Loiacono at (713) 821-2068 or Steve Marsh at (713) 821-2084.

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