FERC Staff has issued an environmental assessment (EA) for TC Energy Corp.’s proposed Louisiana XPress (LAXP) natural gas pipeline project and for Kinder Morgan Inc.’s (KMI) Acadiana Project, which would each add capacity to Kinder Morgan Louisiana Pipeline LLC’s (KMLP) system in support of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction export terminal in Cameron Parish, LA.

The LAXP project would provide open access firm transportation service through the expansion of existing capacity on Columbia Gulf Transmission’s current pipeline system [CP19-488]. The project, proposed by Columbia affiliate TC Energy last year, would include construction of three greenfield compressor stations, modifications at one existing compressor station and related facilities to create 850 MMcf of open access firm transportation capacity from a primary receipt point at Columbia Gulf’s Mainline Pool to a primary delivery point at an interconnection with KMLP in Evangeline Parish, LA.

Columbia has executed a binding precedent agreement with a shipper to provide 800 MMcf/d of long term firm transportation service, providing the required market support for the project. That capacity will provide transportation service to the Sabine Pass terminal, where Cheniere Energy is progressing on plans for Train 6, which is scheduled to achieve substantial completion in the first half of 2023.

Columbia is seeking approval from FERC by July 1 in order to build the project and commence service by Feb. 1, 2022. The estimated cost of the Louisiana XPress project is $472 million.

The $145 million Acadiana Project would include construction of three gas-fired compressor units at an existing compressor station in Acadia Parish, LA, and related facilities to increase the north-south delivery capacity on KMLP’s pipeline system by 894 MMcf/d. The project is expected to begin commercial operations in February 2022.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will accept comments on the EA through March 9.