Kinder Morgan Inc. subsidiary Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (NGPL) started a binding open season to seek shipper support for a proposed 200,000 Dth/d expansion of its Gulf Coast and Louisiana lines to serve growing gas production in North Texas and to transport Canadian and Rocky Mountain supply entering the system at existing and proposed pipeline interconnections. Service is expected in January 2008.

The project would facilitate the movement of gas from major supply basins served by the Gulf Coast mainline, including the Fayetteville and Barnett Shale plays, the Bossier Sands and the Arkoma Basin, into the Louisiana Line, the company said. In addition, the proposed expansion would accommodate Canadian production through an interconnect with Alliance Pipeline and Rocky Mountain volumes transported through the proposed Rockies Express Pipeline. Rockies Express, which is sponsored by Kinder Morgan and Sempra Energy would bring gas from Wyoming and Colorado to Ohio, with multiple pipeline interconnections along its route.

NGPL said by enhancing deliveries into the Louisiana Line, the proposed expansion project would give shippers greater access to East Coast markets, major interstate pipelines and the Henry Hub, Kinder Morgan said.

The Gulf Coast mainline extends to Chicago from South Texas, and the Louisiana Line originates at the Gulf Coast mainline in Montgomery County, TX, and extends eastward, connecting to other major interstate systems, including the Henry Hub. Capacity on the Louisiana Line is currently sold out.

The expansion project would involve increasing horsepower at existing compressor stations, along with the installation of looping, support facilities and metering. The binding open season runs from April 11 to May 2. Shippers seeking additional information should contact Norman Watson at (713) 369-9219, David Matney at (713) 369-9218 or Kim Watson at (713) 369-9233.

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