Columbia Pipeline Group said that its Columbia Gas Transmission unit has filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to move forward with its $850 million WB Xpress project.

WB Xpress is an interstate pipeline between West Virginia and Virginia that includes roughly 26 miles of pipeline replacement and approximately three miles of new line, along with two new compressor stations. Line capacity will top off at 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), Kallanish Energy learns.

The project will deliver Appalachian Basin gas to Mid-Atlantic markets, as well as Gulf Coast markets via a downstream, third-party interstate pipeline expansion from an existing interconnect in West Virginia.

Columbia says WB Xpress “will significantly improve the service and flexibility of the region’s interstate pipeline system.”

Pending FERC authorization, Columbia expects to begin WB XPress construction in 2017, and bring the project online in the second half of 2018.

FERC also authorized Columbia Gas Transmission to construct/operate the $45 million, 205 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) capacity Utica Access Project in Kanawha County, West Virginia.

Utica Access includes five miles of new pipeline, modifications to existing compression facilities and enhancing safety technology to more closely monitor the pipeline system.

The line, slated to be completed in the fourth quarter, will flow Utica Shale gas to the Columbia Gas Appalachia Pool.

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Joseph Barone
www.ShaleDirectories.com