Freebird Gas Storage LLC has filed an application at FERC seeking to carry out a Phase II expansion of the East Detroit Gas Storage Field in Lamar County, AL.

Houston-based Freebird proposes to expand the working gas capacity of the existing 1.44 Bcf reservoir storage field by 6.5 Bcf and to construct a five-mile pipeline connection to Tennessee Gas Pipeline just upstream of Compressor Station 550, the company said. After the expansion, the storage field will have a maximum withdrawal capability of 250 MMcf/d and maximum injection capability of more than 250 MMcf/d.

In addition to the Tennessee connection, the expansion calls for the drilling of up to four new horizontal wellbores and the expansion of existing compression and topside facilities, the company said.

The project is scheduled to be in operation in the latter third quarter to early fourth quarter of 2005, according to Freebird Gas.

Freebird has asked FERC for authorization to charge market-based rates for its storage services. “We feel very confident that we’ll achieve market-based rates,” said Gil F. Muhl of Houston-based MultiFuels LP, the primary interest owner of Freebird Gas Storage.

He noted that Freebird was in the process of finishing up a “handful” of precedent agreements with storage customers interested in the expansion capacity.

Freebird Gas Storage is an Alabama limited liability company that was formed to construct, expand and operate the East Detroit storage field. MultiFuels is a diversified energy company that specializes in the acquisition, development and operation of high-value midstream natural gas and other energy assets.

For further information, contact Muhl at (832) 252-2252 or Jesse Arriaga at (832) 251-4273, or go to www.freebirdgas.com.

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