Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Co. is holding a nonbinding open season through July 1 for parties interested in acquiring firm storage service, and firm transportation service if required, through the construction of new facilities on its system.

Depending on the results of the open season, Williston Basin will determine the amount of aggregate storage service to be offered in a binding open season. In addition, any enhancements required of the pipeline system to offer additional firm transportation service will be based on the interest shown in the nonbinding open season and offered on a binding basis during the same second open season.

Currently, the Williston Basin system includes 3,300 miles-plus of transmission lines serving North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. It has the capability to deliver 500 MMcf/d on a peak day.

Williston Basin said it will canvas existing storage and transportation customers to determine what, if any, firm storage capability and/or firm transportation capacity they would be willing to permanently release in lieu of construction of the new facilities. Based on the results of the nonbinding open season, Williston Basin will determine whether to proceed with a project.

The company proposes to charge the current FT-1 and FS-1 rates, negotiated rates or incremental rates, depending on the final project economics. Contract term will be negotiable, but not less than five years. All services will be subject to Williston Basin’s FERC Gas Tariff Second Revised Volume No. 1.

Depending on the scope of the project, Williston Basin said it anticipates receiving all regulatory approvals to allow for firm transportation and firm storage injections during the 2008 summer injection season. Firm storage withdrawals would initiate during the 2008/2009 winter withdrawal season unless a customer has gas in its account that could be withdrawn during the summer injection season on a reasonable efforts basis.

Completed open season forms must be received by Williston Basin via fax, U.S. mail or e-mail by 4 p.m. CDT on July 1. For more information, contact Cliff Rupnow (701) 530-1602.

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