Williams, DCP start gas flow from Keathley Canyon Connector

Williams, through its general partner ownership of Williams Partners, and DCP Midstream Partners LP have started operations from their newly extended Discovery natural gas gathering pipeline system.

The newly built 20-in., 209-mile Keathley Canyon Connector deepwater system and the South Timbalier Block 283 junction platform lie in the central ultradeepwater Gulf of Mexico (OGJ Online, Feb. 13, 2012; Aug. 1, 2012).

Capable of gathering more than 400 MMcfd of natural gas, the new pipeline originates in the southeast portion of the Keathley Canyon protraction area and terminates into Discovery’s 30-in. OD mainline at Discovery’s new junction platform.

The pipeline was constructed in 7,200 ft of water 300 miles south-southwest of New Orleans.

Alan Armstrong, Williams president and chief executive officer, told OGJ in October that, with wall thickness a little more than 2 in., the pipe cost alone was roughly $1 million/mile, with the lay vessels used for those water depths—Allseas Group’s Audacia—costing $750,000-1.5 million/day (OGJ Online, Oct. 7, 2014).

The companies first reported expansion plans in January 2012 (OGJ Online, Jan. 19, 2012).

The extension is supported by long-term agreements with the Lucius and Hadrian South owners, as well as the Heidelberg and Hadrian North owners, for natural gas gathering, transportation and processing services for production from those fields.

The new system is also in proximity to other high-potential deepwater Gulf of Mexico discoveries and prospects, Williams notes.

In addition to the offshore gathering system, the Discovery system includes the 600-MMcfd Larose natural gas processing plant providing market outlets to six interstate-intrastate gas pipelines and the 35,000 b/d Paradis fractionation facility.

Williams owns controlling interest in and is general partner of Williams Partners, which operates the Discovery system with 60% interest. DCP owns the remaining 40%.