The Williams Cos. Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. (Transco) filed with the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Oct. 29 to build and operate its proposed Southeast Supply Enhancement Project to allow expansion of its system by 1.6 dekatherms/day.

Transco, in its application, said the project would remove pipeline capacity constraints in Zone 4 and 5 and meet growing gas-fired power generation, commercial, residential, and industrial demand in the US Southeast.

The project would provide year-long, firm transportation capacity to project shippers from Transco’s existing Station 165 Zone 5 pooling point and the Cherrystone interconnect with Mountain Valley Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, Va., to mainline delivery points in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

The project includes:

• About 30.8 miles of 42-in. OD pipeline in Pittsylvania County, Va., and Rockingham County, NC (Eden Loop).
• About 24.1 miles of 42-in. OD pipeline in Guilford, Forsyth, and Davidson Counties, NC. (Salem Loop).
• Modifications at four existing compressor stations to add 209,607 hp of compression.

Transco described the project as a “tool to create a clean energy future,” help contain energy costs, meet the growing need for gas-fired power generation, and improve America’s energy security. It added that Transco and Northwest Pipeline, another interstate pipeline wholly owned by Williams, will invest up to $1.3 billion through 2030 to reduce operational emissions and improve air quality in the communities surrounding their pipeline systems.

Community members and environmental groups have expressed concern about the project’s impact on local water resources including the Banister and Dan Rivers.

“Across the Southeast, pipeline companies and utilities are proposing billions of dollars in new fossil fuel infrastructure that will end up costing consumers and putting communities at risk from pollution and explosion dangers,” said Jessica Sims, Virginia Field Coordinator, Appalachian Voices.

Caroline Hansley, Campaign Organizing Strategist, for the Sierra Club, said cleaner energy options were “readily available” and that the US should invest in sustainable energy sources instead of locking into fossil fuel projects.

Transco asked FERC to issue a final order by February 2026 to provide time to meet a target in-service date of Nov. 1, 2027.

Pipeline conversion

In other FERC news, the commission on Oct. 30 granted Trailblazer Pipeline Co. and Rockies Express Pipeline additional time to repurpose a 400-mile natural gas pipeline from the Cheyenne Hub in Weld County, Colo., to Gage Country, Neb., to transport CO2.

The project would allow transport 10-million tonne/year of CO2 from ethanol plants in Nebraska to eastern Wyoming for sequestration at a Denver-Julesburg basin site being developed by the pipeline’s parent Tallgrass (OGJ Online, May 6, 2024). The sequestration site is partially funded by a grant from the Wyoming Energy Authority.

Trailblazer said the project would support the ethanol industry's goal of decarbonizing its operations. 

The Trailblazer Conversion Project also includes abandoning 392 miles of the pipeline and three compressor stations and constructing new meter and booster stations. 

The pipeline operator, which hoped to put the project in service in October, now has until Dec. 23, 2024, to complete the work and bring the pipeline online.

FERC said it granted the extension due to delays in receiving necessary construction permits and the relocation of certain infrastructure due to negotiations with landowners.

Trailblazer began construction on Jan. 4, 2024, and has completed construction of all project infrastructure except the Hereford Ranch and Redtail compressor stations, which are currently 65-75% complete, FERC said.

The commission noted that no interventions, comments, or protests were filed on the extension request.