Launch

With a subsidiary and another producer already claiming 500 MMcf/d of capacity, Dominion plans to launch an open season July 7 for the proposed Dominion Keystone pipeline to transport up to 1 Bcf/d from southwestern Pennsylvania, the heart of the Marcellus Shale, to East Coast markets.

Tuesday’s 48.7-cent dive by June futures had the expected impact of pushing cash prices lower at most points in the launch of the May aftermarket Wednesday. Slowly moderating weather trends in the Midwest and Northeast also contributed to the softness. However, forecasts of sharply lower temperatures in the Rockies Thursday helped prices there to recover partially from their great weakness on Tuesday.

Sempra Energy is gearing up for the June 30 launch of a major operational overhaul of its Southern California natural gas transmission and storage system. The new system — six years in the making and including a bid-based market for firm pipeline access rights (FAR) and off-system deliveries (OFF) — is designed to provide more flexibility, reliability and a new citygate pricing point.

Sempra Energy is gearing up for the June 30 launch of a major operational overhaul of its Southern California natural gas transmission and storage system. The new system — six years in the making and including a bid-based market for firm pipeline access rights (FAR) and off-system deliveries (OFF) — is designed to provide more flexibility, reliability and a new citygate pricing point.

A unit of Naperville, IL-based Nicor Inc. announced Tuesday it plans to launch a nonbinding open season for a 5.5 Bcf independent underground natural gas storage facility in the central valley of Northern California, north of Sacramento. The open season started Wednesday and runs through May 30. Start-up of the project could be in 2010.

El Paso Corp. Thursday set a record capital budget for its extensive pipeline business and said it plans to launch an open season for its proposed east-to-west Ruby pipeline in February.

El Paso Corp. Thursday set a record capital budget for its extensive pipeline business and said it plans to launch an open season for its proposed east-to-west Ruby pipeline in February.

Williams Pipeline Partners LP has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in 4Q2007. Formed by Tulsa-based Williams, the initial asset of the new partnership will be a 25% stake in Northwest Pipeline GP, which includes a 3,900 mile bi-directional interstate pipeline system that accesses natural gas supplies in the Rocky Mountains, Canada and the San Juan Basin and serves key markets in the Pacific Northwest. It also includes a working natural gas storage capacity of 12.4 Bcf. Williams will continue to own the remaining 75% interest in Northwest Pipeline and Williams employees will continue to operate it. The IPO expects to offer 13 million common units, representing a 53.6% limited partner interest. Following the IPO, a Williams subsidiary will own the 2% general partner interest, all of the incentive distribution rights and a 44.4% limited partner interest.

Williams Pipeline Partners LP has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in 4Q2007. Formed by Tulsa-based Williams, the initial asset of the new partnership will be a 25% stake in Northwest Pipeline GP, which includes a 3,900 mile bi-directional interstate pipeline system that accesses natural gas supplies in the Rocky Mountains, Canada and the San Juan Basin and serves key markets in the Pacific Northwest. It also includes a working natural gas storage capacity of 12.4 Bcf. Williams will continue to own the remaining 75% interest in Northwest Pipeline and Williams employees will continue to operate it. The IPO expects to offer 13 million common units, representing a 53.6% limited partner interest. Following the IPO, a Williams subsidiary will own the 2% general partner interest, all of the incentive distribution rights and a 44.4% limited partner interest.