Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., a subsidiary of El Paso Corp., said that it has begun an open season for the Corning Extension project that would provide transportation service from the Gulf Coast to an interconnect with the proposed Millennium Pipeline in Corning, NY.

The Corning Extension project would combine existing upstream capacity with the construction of 31 miles of new pipeline from Tennessee’s existing system in Steuben County, NY, to the proposed interconnect with Millennium Pipeline. Tennessee said it will also consider service from its interconnects with TransCanada Pipe Line at Niagara, NY, and Midwestern Gas Transmission at Portland, TN.

The company said it expects the project to be in service in November 2008 pending adequate firm customer commitments and required regulatory approvals. Depending on the final scope of the project, compression and pipeline looping may be added in Pennsylvania and New York.

“This expansion allows our Northeast shippers to benefit from Tennessee’s extensive access to diverse supplies, including new deepwater production and liquefied natural gas from the Gulf of Mexico,” said Steve Beasley, president of Tennessee Gas Pipeline. “Furthermore, the proposed receipts from TransCanada and Midwestern would provide access to growing production from western basins.”

Shippers interested in participating in the open season can contact Bob Bookstaber at (713) 420-2530 or at bob.bookstaber@elpaso.com to obtain additional information. Tennessee said the non-binding open season will close on July 20.

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