Equitrans Midstream expects construction of the 350-MMcfd Ohio Valley Connector expansion (OVCX) project to begin soon, on target for incremental capacity in-service by first-half 2024.
The company provided the update as part of its second-quarter report on Aug. 1.
On June 15, Equitrans received from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a certificate of public convenience and necessity for expansion project, and on July 27, the US Army Corps of Engineers issued the project's last outstanding approval. On July 31, FERC issued the Notice to Proceed.
OVCX will increase deliverability on ETRN's Ohio Valley Connector pipeline and is designed to meet growing demand in markets in the mid-continent and Gulf Coast through existing interconnects with long-haul pipelines in Clarington, Ohio (OGJ Online, Jan. 24, 2023). The 37-mile Ohio Valley Connector’s current capacity is 850 MMcfd.
Equitrans expects to invest about $160 million in the project, which is primarily supported by a long-term firm capacity commitment of 330 MMcfd.