FERC on Wednesday approved, with two modifications, TransCanada Alaska Co. LLC’s open season plan for the proposed Alaska Pipeline Project.

The open season would offer binding commitments for initial capacity on the Alaska Pipeline Project, a gasline to be built jointly by TransCanada and ExxonMobil Corp. The line would carry North Slope gas to the Lower 48 states (PF09-11-001).

TransCanada’s plan, which was filed at the end of January (see Daily GPI, Feb. 1), “generally complies” with the open season regulations but the company is required to make two modifications, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said in its order.

“First, TransCanada must immediately open its data room to allow prospective bidders sufficient time to review needed information, and secondly, the company must make certain revisions to its plan to comply with the Commission’s Standards of Conduct,” FERC said.

An open season notice is expected to be launched by April 30 with closing around July 30, the Commission noted.

The pipeline project is proceeding under terms of the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA). A competing gasline proposed by BP plc and ConocoPhillips, Denali — The Alaska Gas Pipeline LLC, is not part of the AGIA process. Denali is expected to begin the FERC open season process in the next few weeks (see Daily GPI, Jan. 14).

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