FERC has given draft environmental clearance to Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Co.’s 245-mile Grassland Pipeline project, which would transport coalbed methane gas supplies from the Powder River Basin to markets in the Midwest.

Construction of the proposed pipeline would have “limited adverse environmental impact” if “appropriate mitigating measures” are used, Commission staff said in its draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on the project [CP02-37].

The proposed 16-inch pipe would start 15 miles north of Gillette, WY, and would terminate just south of Killdeer, ND, where it would interconnect with the Northern Border Pipeline system. The pipeline is expected to have an initial capacity of up to 180 MMcf/d, with the capability to expand to approximately 200 MMcf/d, according to Williston Basin, which is owned by Bismarck, ND-based MDU Resources Group Inc.

A Williston Basin spokeswoman said construction on the proposed line could be completed by as early as late 2003, assuming the company receives all the necessary approvals from FERC quickly.

Williston Basin said the project will be a “single purpose pipeline,” transporting coal-bed methane gas from the Power River Basin in Montana and Wyoming to the Northern Border system, which in turn would deliver the gas to Midwest markets.

In addition to the new pipeline, Williston Basin proposes looping existing lines in Wyoming, upgrading the maximum allowable operating pressure of laterals in Wyoming and Montana, and adding 4,180 horsepower of compression in North Dakota and 1,200 hp of compression in Montana.

The Williston Basin system currently includes 3,123 miles of transmission lines serving North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. It has the ability to transport 400 to 500 MMcf/d on a peak day.

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