KMP and Sempra announce expansion to Rockies Express line

Pipeline & Gas Journal, July, 2006

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners and Sempra Pipelines & Storage have started a binding open season to solicit support to extend the Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) east from its currently proposed terminus at the Clarington Hub in Monroe County, OH to Oakford, PA. The approximately 100-mile pipeline extension would also pass through Waynesburg, PA., and is designed to provide up to 1.8 Bcf/d of firm transportation capacity. The extension would feature additional compression and interconnects to several major interstate natural gas pipeline systems serving the northeastern United States.

The 1,663-mile, $4.4 billion REX project, which is designed to transport natural gas from producing areas in Colorado and Wyoming, is the largest pipeline built in the United States in more than 20 years. The initial 136-mile, 36-inch segment that runs from the Meeker Hub in Rio Blanco County, CO to the Wamsutter Hub in Sweetwater County, WY was approved for service in February 2006. Construction on the 192-mile stretch from the Wamsutter Hub to the Cheyenne Hub in Weld County, CO will begin this summer, with service expected to begin in January 2007. In May 2006, KMP and Sempra Pipelines & Storage filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct the REX-West portion of the pipeline from the Cheyenne Hub to Audrain County, MO. The 713-mile segment is projected to begin service in January 2008. The application pre-filing process for REX-East, which runs from Audrain County to the Clarington Hub, was initiated with FERC in June 2006. Pending regulatory and environmental approvals, the 622-mile segment is expected to begin service in June 2009.