Transco files northeast expansion project with FERC

Transcontinental Gas pipeline (Transco) has filed an application with the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for its $926.5mn Northeast Supply Enhancement project.

The project would add 386mn cf/d (11mn m³/d) of capacity to markets in the New York City area in time for the 2019-2020 winter heating season.

The project includes about 36 miles (58km) of pipeline looping facilities, the addition of 21,902hp at an existing compressor station and a new 32,000hp compressor station. Transco expects the project to come on line in December 2019.

Transco has executed precedent agreements with subsidiaries of National Grid, the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern US, for firm transportation service under the project.

This project complements the existing Brooklyn Queens Interconnect/Rockaway Lateral Project, which was completed last spring, and was the first new gas supply delivery point in decades for National Grid customers in the region, National Grid New York president Ken Daly said.

In April 2015, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio announced sweeping goals to curb city emissions by 80pc by 2050, which includes phasing out the use of No. 4 fuel oil by 2030. The measure is expected to increase natural gas demand for heating use in the city in place of the fuel oil.

Transco, the largest US natural gas pipeline system by volume, is a subsidiary of Williams Partners.