Questar Pipeline Co. announced late last week that it is holding an open season to determine the feasibility of expanding its Northern System to provide additional natural gas deliveries to Kern River Gas Transmission.

The Kern pipe, which runs from southwestern Wyoming to Southern California, is currently undergoing expansion to increase capacity by an estimated 900 MMcf/d by next May. Questar said its proposed expansion would provide interested shippers the opportunity to deliver up to an additional 150,000 Dth/d to Kern River.

Conditioned on sufficient shipper interest, the company said it plans to provide access to Kern River through an existing interconnection at Muddy Creek or a new interconnection at the Opal Processing Plant in Lincoln County, WY. Questar Pipeline added that it could also connect with Kern River at the Painter lateral if sufficient interest is indicated. This option would provide additional volumes above the 150,000 Dth/d.

The open season for Questar Pipeline’s potential expansion began on Aug. 27 and will close on Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. MST. If the expansion is approved by FERC, the company anticipates an in-service date that will coincide with the completion of the Kern River expansion project in mid-2003.

Under Questar’s proposed expansion, shippers will have several primary receipt point options for delivery to Kern River at Muddy Creek or Opal. They include: Kanda/Coleman-WIC, Kanda/Coleman-CIG, Questar and Overthrust Pipeline.

In addition to using its existing receipt points, Questar said the proposed expansion would allow access to new gas supplies from Powder River, Wind River, Wamsutter, Pinedale and Jonah through existing interconnects with interstate and intrastate pipelines. Interested parties can obtain copies of bid forms and details of the open season online at questarpipeline.com or by calling Brent Kitchen at (801) 324-2117.

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