Williams Gas Pipeline snagged Duke Energy’s 9.8% stake in theAlliance Pipeline partnership yesterday. The transaction bringsWilliams’ total interest in Alliance to 14.6%. Transaction details,including share and unit prices, were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to increase our stake in a project webelieve will have a very positive impact on the future of the NorthAmerican natural gas transportation industry,” said Williams GasPipeline CEO Cuba Wadlington Jr. “Williams is committed tofacilitating the movement of Canadian gas to growth markets in themidwestern and eastern United States. The Alliance Pipeline willhelp us reach our objective.”

Alliance currently is under construction and is designed tocarry 1.3 Bcf/d of gas from western Canada to the Chicago-area fordistribution throughout North America. The 1,900-mile pipeline isscheduled to be in service Oct. 1, 2000.

Investors in Alliance Pipeline Limited Partnerships includeaffiliates of Coastal (14.4%), Enbridge (21.4%), Fort ChicagoEnergy Partners LP (26%), Williams (14.6%), and Westcoast Energy(23.6%). Williams’ five existing interstate gas pipelines are amongthe nation’s largest-volume transporters of gas, delivering 16% ofthe gas consumed in the US. Its 27,300-mile pipeline networkstretches from coast to coast with access to every major supplybasin in the country.

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