FERC yesterday awarded Florida Gas Transmission (FGT) a certificate to incrementally expand its existing 1.7 Bcf/d natural gas transportation system to 2.1 Bcf/d.

The Commission ruled that FGT’s proposed $452 million Phase V expansion, which the pipeline estimates will provide an additional 306 MMcf/d to an unfolding power generation market in the Sunshine State, would be in the “public convenience and necessity.” But it did attach a series of environmental and mitigation measures with which FGT must comply.

FERC estimated the project will entail the construction of 166 miles of 16-inch to 36-inch diameter mainline looping and laterals, additional compression totaling 132,615 horsepower and various other facilities in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The order requires the expansion to be completed and in service within two years.

As part of the Phase V project, the Commission also said Gulf South Pipeline Co. L.P. (formerly Koch Gateway Pipeline Co.) could sell an undivided interest in its Mobile Bay Lateral assets to FGT. The lateral will provide FGT shippers with upstream access to 300 MMcf/d of additional capacity, as well as entrance to all existing receipt and delivery points on the line. FGT plans to build a 30-inch line to connect the lateral to its system.

The expansion is fully subscribed with seven shippers, and is targeted for completion in spring of 2002, according to Enron Corp., which owns FGT jointly with El Paso Corp. The company completed its Phase IV 200 MMcf/d pipeline expansion in April.

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