Kern River Gas Transmission Monday was awarded a favorable environmental assessment (EA) for a proposed expansion to increase takeaway capacity for Rocky Mountain producers.

Kern River proposes to add a 20,500-hp gas-driven compressor unit and restage five compressor units at its existing Muddy Creek Compressor Station in Lincoln County, WY; restage two compressor units at its existing Painter Compressor Station in Uinta County, WY; and install additional metering facilities at its Opal Meter Station in Lincoln County and at the Kramer Junction Meter Station in San Bernardino County, CA.

The 2010 Expansion Project also calls for Kern River to increase the maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) for 1,680 miles of pipeline from 1,200 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) to 1,333 psig and increase the MAOP of the meter stations and compressor stations along its Wyoming-to-California system from 1,250 psig to 1,350 psig.

Kern River said it is seeking approval from the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to increase its pipeline operating pressure.

The expansion would boost Kern River capacity by 145 MMcf/d, resulting in a design capacity of 1.9 Bcf/d when completed. The pipeline expects construction to begin in April-May 2009 if it receives approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, with an in-service date of Nov. 1, 2010.

Kern River originates in Lincoln County and runs westward through southwestern Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and southeastern California before it reaches a point of interconnection with Mojave Pipeline in San Bernardino County. Kern River owns 1,380 miles of pipeline; it owns an additional 300 miles — referred to as common facilities — jointly with Mojave Pipeline.

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