TransColorado Gas Transmission has filed an application with FERC to build an expansion of its interstate pipeline system that would support flows into the massive Rockies Express project, a 1,350-mile, 2 Bcf/d gas pipeline system that would bring Rocky Mountain natural gas to Ohio and ultimately to markets in the Midwest and Northeast.

The project, when completed, would permit TransColorado to transport up to an additional 250,000 Dth/d of natural gas from the Blanco Hub area in San Juan County, NM, through its existing pipeline to Rockies Express Pipeline LLC at an existing point of interconnection located at the Meeker Hub in Rio Blanco County, CO [CP06-410].

The Rockies Express pipeline project is sponsored by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, Sempra Pipelines & Storage and ConocoPhillips. Kinder Morgan also operates the 317-mile TransColorado system, which serves Colorado and New Mexico.

TransColorado estimated the proposed Blanco-to-Meeker expansion will cost approximately $58.2 million. The pipeline proposes to have the expansion placed into service by Jan. 1, 2008.

As a result of the proposed expansion, prospective shippers will be able to move natural gas supplies located in the Rocky Mountain region to new or planned pipeline projects, such as the Rockies Express Pipeline and/or EnCana Corp.’s Entrega Gas Pipeline, that would deliver gas to the nation’s energy market centers in the East.

In addition to the Blanco-to-Meeker project, TransColorado is in the process of completing its North Expansion Project from the Piceance Basin to the Greasewood Hub through the addition of about 4,000 horsepower of new compression, 24-inch diameter pipeline and meter facilities. The facilities will permit TransColorado to deliver an additional 300,000 Dth/d of Piceance Basin gas to the Greasewood Hub in Colorado.

The pipeline placed two new compressor units into service earlier this year that will permit TransColorado to effectuate northbound deliveries of up to 200,000 Dth/d of gas from the Piceance Basin to interconnecting pipelines at the Greasewood Hub. A third compressor unit is slated for in-service in January 2008, which would increase the pipeline’s northbound deliveries by an additional 100,000 Dth/d.

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