Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 1 

U.S. natural gas pipeline construction activity accelerated 

in 2007 with capacity additions to the grid totaling nearly 

14.9 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of daily deliverability (Figure 

1). These additions were the largest of any year in the 

Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 10-year 

database of pipeline construction activity. The increased 

level of natural gas pipeline construction activity in 2007 

conformed to a growth trend that began slowly in 2005 and 

intensified in 2006. In 2007, about 1,700 miles of pipeline 

were installed, which was greater than in any year since 

2003 (Figure 2). 

The expansion cycle for natural gas pipeline construction is 

occurring at the same time as the development of the 

natural gas resource base in North and East Texas, 

particularly the Barnett Shale and Bossier Sands, and 

increased drilling in the Rocky Mountains. Forty percent of 

the 50 pipeline projects completed in 2007 were associated 

with new production in Texas and the Rocky Mountain 

States of Utah, Colorado and Wyoming (included in the 

Central Region for this report). Projects completed in the 

Rocky Mountain area accounted for 26 percent of all new 

natural gas pipeline capacity (3.9 Bcf per day) installed 

during the year, while those completed in Texas accounted 

for another 27 percent (4.0 Bcf per day). 

Numerous pipeline expansions also are occurring in 

response to construction of import terminals for liquefied 

natural gas (LNG), which is received for U.S. markets 

from overseas suppliers on specially built tankers. These 

supplies, which arrive at various marine terminals in liquid 

form, are returned to a gaseous form and transported by 

pipeline to distribution companies for subsequent retail 

sales, industrial consumers, and electric power sector. In 

response to higher prices and higher costs for domestic 

supplies, LNG imports are expected to grow significantly 

in the next several years. In fact, new construction and 

expansion of LNG terminals or LNG-related pipeline 

infrastructure is currently underway in several regions of 

the United States, as well as in Mexico and Canada.1

The cost of pipeline construction activity in 2007 is 

estimated at $4.3 billion for the 50 completed projects 

(Table 1, with map included as Figure 3). These 

expenditures represent an increase of 87 percent over costs 

for completions in 2006, when costs totaled $2.3 billion for 

the addition of 1,582 miles of new pipeline and 12.7 Bcf 

per day of new capacity to the grid. This article discusses 

the results of this investment in various pipeline projects 

completed during 2007, as well as the general trends 

underlying the infrastructure developments. 

Highlights 

Even as the pace of additions to the U.S. natural gas pipeline 

grid slowed significantly earlier this decade, several trends 

were developing in the U.S natural gas marketplace that 

would eventually lead to the current investment escalation. 

These underlying trends included the mature degree of 

exploitation of conventional natural gas resources in areas 

such as in the Gulf of Mexico region, as well as increased 

demand for natural gas in the electric power sector. These 

 

1

 Energy Information Administration, LNG Imports – The Next Wave 

(Washington, D.C. January 2007). Available on the Internet at: 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/pdf/LNG_Jan2007.pdf

Additions to Capacity on the U.S. Natural Gas Pipeline Network: 2007

This report examines new natural gas pipeline capacity added to the U.S. natural gas pipeline system during 2007 and the 

areas of the country where those additions were concentrated. In addition, it discusses and analyzes proposed natural gas 

pipeline projects that may be developed between 2008 and 2010 and the market factors supporting these initiatives. 

Questions or comments on this article should be directed to Damien Gaul at damien.gaul@eia.doe.gov or (202) 586-2073, 

or James Tobin at james.tobin@eia.doe.gov or (202) 586-4835. 

2,432 2,338

1,998

2,391

3,571

2,243

1,459

1,152

1,582

4,407

3,696

1,955

1,663

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Miles

Actual Potential

Figure 2. Additions to Pipeline Mileage, 1998-2010

Note: Only projects under construction or approved that were judged to have the most likelihood of being completed in 2008 were

included in 2008. Remaining unlikely 2008 scheduled projects included under 2009.

Source: Energy Information Administration, GasTran Natural Gas Transportation Information System, Natural Gas Pipeline Projects 

Database, as of May 2008.

2,432 2,338

1,998

2,391

3,571

2,243

1,459

1,152

1,582

4,407

3,696

1,955

1,663

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Miles

Actual Potential

Figure 2. Additions to Pipeline Mileage, 1998-2010

Note: Only projects under construction or approved that were judged to have the most likelihood of being completed in 2008 were

included in 2008. Remaining unlikely 2008 scheduled projects included under 2009.

Source: Energy Information Administration, GasTran Natural Gas Transportation Information System, Natural Gas Pipeline Projects 

Database, as of May 2008.

47,419

34,462

21,270

8,460

6,517 6,983

12,848

9,262

14,859

12,705

7,661 8,198

10,423

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Actual Potential

Figure 1. Natural Gas Pipeline Capacity Additions, 1998-2010 Million Cubic Feet per Day

Note: Only projects under construction or approved that were judged to have the most likelihood of being completed in 2008 were

included in 2008. 

Source: Energy Information Administration, GasTran Natural Gas Transportation Information System, Natural Gas Pipeline Projects 

Database, as of May 2008.

47,419

34,462

21,270

8,460

6,517 6,983

12,848

9,262

14,859

12,705

7,661 8,198

10,423

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Actual Potential

Figure 1. Natural Gas Pipeline Capacity Additions, 1998-2010 Million Cubic Feet per Day

Note: Only projects under construction or approved that were judged to have the most likelihood of being completed in 2008 were

included in 2008. 

Source: Energy Information Administration, GasTran Natural Gas Transportation Information System, Natural Gas Pipeline Projects 

Database, as of May 2008.
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 2 

Table 1. Natural Gas Pipeline Construction Projects Completed in 2007, by Terminating Region 

Ending 

Region & 

State

Map 

Key

Pipeline - Project Name FERC Docket 

Number 

(Interstate 

Projects)

Type of Project In Service 

Date

Estimated Cost 

(Million Dollars)

Miles Additional 

Capacity 

(MMcf/d)1

Central

WY WY Central 1 Questar Overthrust - Wamsutter Expansion CP06-423 Compression2 /Lateral3 01-Dec-07 202 77 750

WY WY Central 2 Jonah - Phase V Expansion Not applicable Compression 01-Nov-07 300 0 650

UT UT Central 3 Questar - Southern System Expansion CP07-25 Looping4 /Compression 01-Nov-07 108 59 175

WY UT Central 4 Wyoming Interstate - Kanda Lateral CP07-14 Lateral 01-Dec-07 121 123 406

WY WY Central 5 Rockies Express - Processing Plant Lateral CP07-383 Lateral 15-Nov-07 15 3 150

CO NM Central 6 TransColorado - Blanco-to-Meeker Expansion CP06-401 Compression 31-Dec-07 58 0 250

CO CO Central 7 Northwest - Parachute Expansion CP06-45 Lateral 15-May-07 58 38 450

CO WY Central 8 Rockies Express - West (Entrega) CP04-413 New Pipeline5 15-Feb-07 560 192 750

WY WY Central 9 Fort Union Gathering - 2007 Expansion Not applicable Looping/Compression 31-Oct-07 41 43 240

ND MT Central 10 Williston Basin - Grasslands Expansion CP07-131 Compression 01-Dec-07 6 0 41

MN IA Central 11 Northern Natural - Northern Lights Project CP06-403 Looping/Extension6 31-Oct-07 129 79 374

IA KS Central 12 Northern Natural - Palmyra North Expansion CP06-433 Compression 31-Oct-07 9 6 44

Subtotal 1,607 619 4,280

Midwest

IL IL Midwest 13 Kinder Morgan - Chicago Pipeline CP06-455 New Pipeline 20-Dec-07 13 3 360

OH OH Midwest 14 Columbia Gas Ohio - Delaware County Extension Not applicable Extension 01-Dec-07 14 10 100

Subtotal 27 13 460

Canada

ON IL Midwest 15 Vector - 2007 Phase 1 Expansion CP06-29 Compression 13-Nov-07 70 0 245

Subtotal 70 0 245

Northeast

MA MA Northeast 16 Algonquin - Northeast Gateway LNG CP05-383 Lateral 15-Dec-07 180 16 800

MA MA Northeast 17 Algonquin - Cape Cod Lateral CP06-143 Lateral 01-Dec-07 15 4 38

MA NY Northeast 18 Tenneco - Northeast ConneXion CP05-412 Compression 01-Nov-07 111 0 136

NY PA Northeast 19 Transco - Leidy-to-Long Island Expansion CP06-34 Looping/Compression 13-Dec-07 162 15 100

NJ PA Northeast 20 Texas Eastern -TIME II Expansion Phase 1 CP06-115 Looping/Compression 30-Nov-07 117 22 150

DE PA Northeast 21 Eastern Shore - 2007 Expansion CP06-53 Looping/Compression 15-Dec-07 8 11 10

MD NC Southeast 22 Transco - Potomac Expansion CP06-421 Looping/Compression 09-Nov-07 88 19 165

VA VA Northeast 23 Columbia Gas - Storage Link Expansion CP05-144/PF04Looping 01-Apr-07 55 34 175

WV WV Northeast 24 Columbia Gas - Hardy Storage Lateral CP05-150 Lateral 01-Mar-07 49 13 175

Subtotal 784 134 1,749

Southeast

FL GA Southeast 25 Southern Natural - Cypress 2007 Phase 1 CP05-388 New Pipeline 01-May-07 240 167 335

FL FL Southeast 26 Florida Gas Transmission - Phase VII Expansion CP06-01 Looping/Compression 22-Dec-07 64 17 95

Subtotal 304 184 430

Southwest

LA TX Southwest 27 Centerpoint - Perryville Expansion CP06-85 New Pipeline 01-Apr-07 425 172 1,237

LA LA Southwest 28 Regency Intrastate - North LA Expansion Not applicable Compression 06-Jun-07 17 0 200

LA LA Southwest 29 Centerpoint - Elm Grove Expansion CP06-168 Looping/Compression 15-Feb-07 18 18 140

LA LA Southwest 30 Regency Intrastate - Bossier Loop Phase 2 Not applicable Compression 01-Apr-07 5 0 100

LA LA Southwest 31 CrossTex - LIG Extension Not applicable Extension 01-Apr-07 90 74 200

TX TX Southwest 32 Centerpoint - Harrison Lateral Expansion EM06-05 Looping 15-Mar-07 13 14 60

GM GM Offshore 33 Tenneco - Triple-T Extension CP05-416 Lateral 14-Sep-07 22 6 200

GM GM Offshore 34 Tenneco - Deepwater Link Project CP05-100 Extension 01-Jul-07 40 1 1,000

GM GM Offshore 35 Cleopatra - Gathering System Expansion Not applicable Lateral 31-Jul-07 36 21 375

LA LA Southwest 36 Pine Praire - Miller's Lake Lateral CP04-379 Looped Lateral 04-Dec-07 28 14 600

LA TX Southwest 37 Trunkline - North Texas 2007 Expansion CP06-452 Looping 20-Nov-07 179 45 625

LA TX Southwest 38 Sabine - Henry Hub Expansion EM06-05 Compression 30-Sep-07 16 0 50

TX TX Southwest 39 NGPL - North Lansing Loop CP05-405 Looping 15-Aug-07 10 9 140

TX TX Southwest 40 Energy Transfer - Barnett-Texoma Expansion Not applicable Extension 01-Apr-07 360 135 700

TX TX Southwest 41 Eagle Energy - Extension Line Not applicable Extension 01-May-07 12 21 65

TX TX Southwest 42 Enbridge Pipelines - Marquez Plant Line Not applicable Lateral 31-Mar-07 65 56 250

TX TX Southwest 43 Crosstex - North Texas 2007 Expansion Not applicable Compression 01-Apr-07 20 0 125

TX TX Southwest 44 Pecan Palo - Pinto County Gathering Header Not applicable Lateral 01-Nov-07 32 26 250

TX TX Southwest 45 Falcon - Worsham Steed Storage Pipeline Not applicable New Pipeline 01-Oct-07 60 63 450

OK OK Southwest 46 Southern Star - Waynoka Lateral Blanket Certif Lateral 01-Sep-07 11 15 175

OK CO Central 47 CIG Raton Basin 2007 Expansion CP07-103 Looping/Compression 21-Sep-07 12 11 29

Subtotal 1,471 700 6,971

Western

AZ MX Mexico 48 North Baja - Flow Reversal Phase I CP06-61 Compression/Lateral 15-Dec-07 4 2 614

NV NV Western 49 Paiute - 2007 Expansion Prior Notice Looping 01-Nov-07 5 4 9

CA CA Western 50 Pacific Gas & Electric - Line 57C Lateral Not applicable Lateral 01-Nov-07 30 6 100

Subtotal 39 13 723

Total 4,302 1,663 14,859

Begins in 

State -- Region

Notes: Map Key references Figure 3. Interregional project is in bold print. In the table, a project that crosses interregional boundaries is included in the region in which it terminates. Offshore 

projects are included in the Southwest region. Totals may not sum due to independent rounding.

Source: Energy Information Administration, GasTran Natural Gas Transportation Information System, Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Database.

1 When announcing the design capacity for a proposed project or expansion, a pipeline company may provide either a volumetric (per cubic feet) or energy content (btu/therms) value. In this 

table, reported capacity figures are presented as volumetric (MMcf/d = million cubic feet per day) assuming a conversion factor of 1 MMcf/d = 1 thousand decatherms per day = 1 billion btu 

per day. 

2

May include placing additional compressor units at an existing station, the upgrading of existing units, or adding one or more new compressor stations to an existing system.

GM = Gulf of Mexico. 

3

A lateral refers to a new pipeline segment built to interconnect a new customer to a local major pipeline or to a local distribution company mainline. 

4

Looping refers to the installation of another segment of pipeline parallel to an existing pipeline segment and is used as a means of quickly increasing overall pipeline capacity and/or 

increasing line-packing (temporary storage) on a pipeline system.

5

Denotes an entirely new pipeline entity which is not an extension of, or a lateral off of, an existing pipeline system. 

6

An extension refers to the building of a new section of pipeline to a service area beyond the original termination point of the transmission system. 
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 3 

fundamental market features, along with other factors such as 

a series of devastating hurricanes in 2004 and 2005, resulted 

in higher prices this decade relative to the 1980s and 1990s, 

leading to increased investment in infrastructure to access 

new supply sources and provide expanded flows to end-use 

customers. 

Increased domestic natural gas production appears to have 

been the driving force behind most of the natural gas pipeline 

capacity additions of 2007 and much of the proposed 

additions slated for installation by 2010. Between 1998 and 

2006, natural gas production in the most rapidly expanding 

production areas of the nation (northeast Texas, Wyoming, 

Colorado, and Utah (Figure 4)) increased by 96 percent 

overall, while proved natural gas reserves grew by 127 

percent.2

 For the nation as a whole (including these areas), 

however, production decreased by 1 percent, while proved 

reserves increased by 29 percent. 

Thirty-six of the 50 projects completed in 2007 involved 

expansion of the interstate natural gas pipeline network, 

 

2

Based on data from the Energy Information Administration, U.S. Crude 

Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Reserves Annual Report 2006 

and 1998, Table 8 (November 2007) and (November 1999).

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/natural_gas/data_publications/crude_oil_nat

ural_gas_reserves/reserves_historical.html 

while the remainder improved capacity and transportation 

service on intrastate natural gas pipelines or new large-scale 

header (gathering lateral) systems designed to transport 

natural gas production from expanding natural gas fields. Of 

the 14 non-interstate natural gas pipeline projects completed 

during the year, about half involved adding new 

transportation capacity from developing production areas or 

constructing new intrastate pipeline sections to interconnect 

new production with the interstate pipeline network. Such 

projects were common in the expanding natural gas 

production areas of western Wyoming and Colorado and in 

the Barnett Shale formation of northeast Texas. 

Many individual projects represent developments with 

industry-wide implications. For instance: 

• The largest natural gas pipeline construction project 

completed in 2007 was Centerpoint Energy 

Company’s Perryville expansion project, a 172-mile 

pipeline with 1.2 Bcf per day of capacity, linking 

Texas’ intrastate pipeline systems to Perryville, 

Louisiana. The project is just one of several extensive 

infrastructure improvements that will transport 

increased supplies from the Barnett Shale and Bossier 

Sands areas on the interstate system. 

Legend

Interstate Pipelines

Intrastate Pipelines

West Virginia

Utah

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

32. 31. 35. 34. 33.

36.

38.

41.

42.

44.

45

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

39.

Locations of Natural Gas Pipeline Construction Projects Completed in 2007

Notes: Map keyed to Table 1. Security: EIA has determined that publication of this figure does not raise security concerns, based on the application of 

Federal Geographic Data Committee’s Guidelines for Providing Appropriate Access to Geospatial Data in Response to Security Concerns; Regions: 

The six U.S. regions shown in this figure are based in whole or in part upon the 10 Federal regions as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor’s 

Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Source: Energy Information Administration, GasTran Natural Gas Transportation Information System, Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Database.

Figure 3.

37.

43.

40.

46

48.

50.

47.

Northeast

Southeast

Midwest

Southwest

Central

Western

49

28.

27.

29. 30.

Legend

Interstate Pipelines

Intrastate Pipelines

West Virginia

Utah

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

32. 31. 35. 34. 33.

36.

38.

41.

42.

44.

45

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

39.

Locations of Natural Gas Pipeline Construction Projects Completed in 2007

Notes: Map keyed to Table 1. Security: EIA has determined that publication of this figure does not raise security concerns, based on the application of 

Federal Geographic Data Committee’s Guidelines for Providing Appropriate Access to Geospatial Data in Response to Security Concerns; Regions: 

The six U.S. regions shown in this figure are based in whole or in part upon the 10 Federal regions as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor’s 

Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Source: Energy Information Administration, GasTran Natural Gas Transportation Information System, Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Database.

Figure 3.

37.

43.

40.

46

48.

50.

47.

Northeast

Southeast

Midwest

Southwest

Central

Western

49

28.

27.

29. 30.
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 4 

• In the Rocky Mountain area of western Colorado, 

Kinder Morgan Inc. and partners added 750 million 

cubic feet (MMcf) per day of capacity in the Rockies 

producing region. This project represented the first 

stage of the planned continental Rockies Express 

Pipeline system, which will eventually transport 

Wyoming/Colorado natural gas to northeastern U.S. 

markets. The second stage of the Rockies Express 

system, from eastern Colorado to eastern Missouri, 

was placed in full service in mid-2008 (portions 

located in Colorado and Kansas were placed in service 

in early 2008). 

• In the Northeast, Algonquin Gas Transmission 

Company constructed a 16-mile, 32-inch-diameter 

pipeline to connect its pipeline network in New 

England to Excelerate Energy LLC’s Northeast 

Gateway LNG terminal, which is located offshore 

from Gloucester, Massachusetts. This project marked 

the installation of the first pipeline designed to 

transport regasified LNG from a terminal in 2 decades. 

These construction projects, as well as other transportation 

additions out of North Texas and Rockies producing 

regions and additions related to LNG projects, will likely 

have a long-lasting impact on continental natural gas 

pricing and flows. For example, prices in western U.S. 

markets for much of this decade were substantially lower 

than in eastern U.S. markets because of constrained 

transportation for growing production, particularly out of 

the Rockies producing region. Regional price differences 

likely will go through a period of adjustment once the 

Rockies Express Pipeline is constructed. Already in 2008 

(from January through April), the average price in Rockies 

trading locations was within 90 cents of the Henry Hub 

average price, compared with discounts exceeding $1.40 

during the first third of the year in 2007. 

 

Currently proposed natural gas pipeline expansion projects 

indicate the level of pipeline construction activity in the 

United States will increase substantially between 2008 and 

2010, although many projects compete for markets and 

typically not all proposed projects are constructed. 

Approximately 200 projects, representing a potential 

10,100 miles of new large pipeline and approximately 103 

Bcf per day of capacity, already are being planned or have 

been approved by U.S. regulatory authorities. If all were 

actually completed, about 2 percent more pipeline miles 

would be added to the national pipeline grid and overall 

network capacity would increase by more than 38 percent. 

Current estimates for the cost of this effort total close to 

$28 billion. 

National Overview 

The transportation of natural gas through the U.S. pipeline 

grid occurs along several major corridors, such as from the 

Gulf of Mexico region to the Northeast or from the 

Rockies to the West Coast. Domestic pipeline 

transportation corridors from the Southwest to the 

Northeast and from the Southwest to Midwest have been 

the major paths for natural gas flows since the construction 

boom in the years following World War II. However, the 

network of pipelines is now nearly a continental 

phenomenon linking most production regions, including 

those in Canada, to multiple market centers and associated 

consuming regions. 

In 2007, the vast majority of expansions and capacity 

additions were built to expand transportation capability in 

established corridors. However, project sponsors also 

embarked on creating a new corridor through the 

construction of the Rockies Express Pipeline, which will 

connect the Rockies with markets east of the Mississippi 

River, possibly reaching as far east as Pennsylvania when 

completed in 2010. 

During 2007, there was also considerable progress in 

advancing LNG-associated pipelines in several different 

regions. Because much of the LNG construction activity is 

located in the Gulf of Mexico region, existing extensive 

infrastructure will be employed by project sponsors to get 

supplies to market. Yet, some network enhancements are 

needed, even in the Gulf. Additionally, significant new 

infrastructure is required for expanded and new terminals 

elsewhere in the country. 

Overall, the interstate natural gas pipeline grid consists of 

more than 155 Bcf per day of capacity and approximately 

212,000 miles of pipeline (Table 2). Interstate pipeline 

companies are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission (FERC) and are mostly transportation-service 

companies under current regulations. Additionally, 

substantial pipeline capacity exists in Texas, Louisiana, 

and other States that is considered “intrastate” and, for 

many purposes, regulated by State authorities. Unlike 

FERC-regulated entities, intrastate pipeline operators often 

own supplies transported on their systems. EIA estimates

559

306

1,045

-175

1,488

180

857

498

133

-400 0 400 800 1,200 1,600

Natural Gas Production Difference, 

1998 to 2006 (Billion cubic feet)

Figure 4. 

Northeast Texas

Rocky Mountain

Area (3 States)

RRC 9

RRC 5

RRC 6

Wyoming

Colorado

Utah

Total Net U.S.

Note: RRC = Texas Railroad Commission District.

Source: Energy Information Administration, U.S. Crude Oil and Natural Gas, and Natural Gas 

Liquids Reserves: 1998 and 2006 Annual Reports.

(nn%) = Percent change in production (-1%)

(+114%)

(+303%)

(+250%)

(+30%)

(86%)

(+102%)

(+74%)

(+62%)

559

306

1,045

-175

1,488

180

857

498

133

-400 0 400 800 1,200 1,600

Natural Gas Production Difference, 

1998 to 2006 (Billion cubic feet)

Figure 4. 

Northeast Texas

Rocky Mountain

Area (3 States)

RRC 9

RRC 5

RRC 6

Wyoming

Colorado

Utah

Total Net U.S.

Note: RRC = Texas Railroad Commission District.

Source: Energy Information Administration, U.S. Crude Oil and Natural Gas, and Natural Gas 

Liquids Reserves: 1998 and 2006 Annual Reports.

(nn%) = Percent change in production (-1%)

(+114%)

(+303%)

(+250%)

(+30%)

(86%)

(+102%)

(+74%)

(+62%)
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 5 

Pipeline Name Market 

Regions 

Served

Primary 

Supply 

Regions

States in Which Pipeline Operates Transportation 

volumes (billion 

cubic feet)

System 

Capacity 

(MMcf/d) 1

System 

Mileage

Columbia Gas Transmission Co. Northeast Southwest, 

Appalachia

DE, PA, MD, KY, NC, NJ, NY, OH, VA, WV 1,792 9,000 10,318

Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Co. Northeast, 

Southeast

Southwest AL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, NY, SC, TX, VA, GM 2,751 8,161 10,412

Northern Natural Gas Co. Central, 

Midwest

Southwest IA, IL, KS, NE, NM, OK, SD, TX, WI, GM 950 7,200 15,743

ANR Pipeline Co. Midwest Southwest AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, NE, OH, 

OK, WI, GM

2,058 7,129 10,600

Texas Eastern Transmission Corp. Northeast Southwest AL, AR, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, NJ, NY, 

OH, OK, PA, TX, WV, GM

1,241 6,672 9,176

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. Northeast, 

Midwest

Southwest, 

 Canada

AR, KY, LA, MA, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, WV, GM 1,678 6,329 14,100

El Paso Natural Gas Co. Western, 

Southwest

Southwest AZ, CO, NM, TX 1,636 6,152 10,295

Dominion Transmission Co. Northeast Southwest, 

Appalachia

PA, MD, NY, OH, VA, WV 585 5,934 3,392

Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America Midwest Southwest AR, IA, IL, KS, LA, MO, NE, OK, TX, GM 1,709 4,508 9,297

Northwest Pipeline Corp. Western Canada, 

Central

CO, ID, OR, UT, WA, WY 676 4,500 3,865

Southern Natural Gas Co. Southeast Southwest AL, GA, LA, MS, SC, TN, TX, GM 805 3,532 7,439

Centerpoint Gas Transmission Co. Southwest Southwest AR, KS, LA, OK, TX 671 3,432 6,170

Colorado Interstate Gas Co. Central Central, 

Southwest

CO, KS, OK, TX, WY 733 3,170 3,979

Texas Gas Transmission Corp. Midwest Southwest AR, IN, KY, LA, MS, OH, TN 725 3,098 5,609

Great Lakes Gas Transmission Co. Midwest Canada MI, MN, WI 819 2,958 2,115

Gulf South Pipeline Co. Southeast, 

Southwest

Southwest AL, FL, LA, MS, TX, GM 510 2,946 6,532

Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co. Midwest Southwest IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, OH, OK, TX 579 2,840 6,376

Gas Transmission Northwest Corp. Western Canada ID, OR, WA 805 2,636 1,356

Northern Border Pipeline Co. Midwest, 

Central

Canada IA, IL, IN, MN, MT, ND, SD 858 2,626 1,400

Southern Star Central Pipeline Co. Central Central CO, KS, MO, NE, OK, TX, WY 317 2,526 5,725

Wyoming Interstate Gas Co. Central Central CO, WY 699 2,330 725

National Fuel Gas Supply Co. Northeast Canada, 

Appalachia

NY, PA 309 2,312 1,502

Florida Gas Transmission Co. Southeast Southwest AL, FL, LA, MS, TX, GM 737 2,206 4,869

Questar Pipeline Co. Central Central CO, UT, WY 384 2,192 1,722

Algonquin Gas Transmission Co. Northeast Southwest CT, MA, NJ, NY, RI 330 2,184 1,103

Columbia Gulf Transmission Co. Southeast, 

Northeast

Southwest KY, LA, MS, TN, GM 1,042 2,156 4,124

Alliance Pipeline Co. (US) Midwest Canada ND, MN, IA, IL 646 2,053 888

Transwestern Gas Co. Western Southwest, 

Central

AZ, CO, NM, TX 629 2,048 2,362

Kern River Gas Transmission Co. Western Central CA, NV, UT, WY 786 1,833 1,680

High Island Offshore System Southwest Gulf of 

Mexico

LA, GM 185 1,800 204

Sub-total 27,645 116,463 163,078

Other Interstate Systems (74) - - - - - - 8,433 39,000 49,389

Total 36,078 155,463 212,467

Note: GM = Gulf of Mexico.

Source: FERC, Mileage & Transport: FERC Form 2 & 2A "Major and Non-major Natural Gas Pipeline Annual Report," Capacity: FERC Annual Peak Day Capacity Report 

Section 284.13(d). Transportation volumes (Line 5 of Gas Accounts in Form 2) may not represent all throughput on a pipeline during the year. 

Table 2. Thirty Largest U.S. Interstate Natural Gas Pipeline Systems, 2006

 (Ranked by system capacity, million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d))

1 Capacity levels are reported to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Btu, decatherms, or volumetric units. In this table and report, reported capacity 

figures are presented as volumetric (MMcf/d = million cubic feet per day) assuming a conversion factor of 1 MMcf/d = 1 thousand decatherms per day = 1 billion btus per 

day. 
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 6 

that intrastate capacity exceeds 32 Bcf per day and 

intrastate pipeline systems extend over 76,000 miles.3 

Pipeline companies are often operated as individual 

entities, although many “families” of pipelines are owned 

by larger corporations. El Paso Corporation is currently the 

owner of the largest family of pipelines, consisting of 

43,000 miles of pipeline. Pipeline companies owned by El 

Paso include: Tennessee Gas Pipeline, Colorado Interstate 

Gas, Wyoming Interstate Gas, and El Paso Natural Gas. 

Kinder Morgan Incorporated, one of the developers of 

Rockies Express, also owns a variety of interstate and 

intrastate pipelines such as Natural Gas Pipeline of 

America and KM Interstate Transmission. Williams 

Companies owns Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Co. and 

Northwest Pipeline Corp. 

Currently, the pipeline with the greatest deliverability 

(potential volume that can be delivered to customers at full 

operations) is the Columbia Gas Transmission system, 

which has 10,318 miles of pipeline and can transport up to 

9.0 Bcf per day. Columbia Gas, which is owned by 

Indiana-based NiSource Inc., transports supplies to 

customers in the Northeast from production fields in the 

Appalachian Basin, as well as from the Gulf of Mexico 

region through a connection with affiliate Columbia Gulf 

Transmission at Leach, Kentucky. 

In 2007, only 4 of the 50 completed projects crossed 

regional boundaries, reflecting an emphasis on localized 

expansions or upgrades. Additions to interregional capacity 

during the year totaled only 1.1 Bcf per day overall, but 

they still totaled significantly more than the 2006 level of 

just 155 MMcf per day (two projects added to interregional 

capacity). The non-interstate projects completed in 2007 

represented new intrastate natural gas pipelines or 

gathering system laterals designed to alleviate potential 

and developing natural gas pipeline capacity constraints in 

expanding production areas such as East Texas and the 

Rocky Mountain States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. 

In 2007, the largest 10 of the 50 projects accounted for 52 

percent of added capacity (7.7 Bcf per day); most of these 

projects were production-oriented extensions and system 

improvements to interstate pipelines. In fact, 28 of the 50 

projects completed in 2007 (representing more than 10.9 

Bcf per day of capacity) were related to expanding supplies 

and improvements to supply-area transportation 

infrastructure. Eighteen projects, accounting for about 2.7 

Bcf per day of new capacity, were oriented toward market 

areas; the other four projects, accounting for 3.4 Bcf per 

day of new pipeline capacity, were associated with laterals 

for new storage capacity. 

 3

Energy Information Administration, Changes in U.S. Natural Gas 

Transportation Infrastructure in 2005, Table 2 (June 2006),

http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/natural_gas/feature_articles/2006/ngt

rans/ngtrans.pdf

 

Regional Overview 

Central Region 

With production 

investment and natural 

gas supplies continuing 

to increase in the 

Rockies, infrastructure 

expansion has become 

critical for producers to 

transport supplies to 

markets. In 2007, 

approximately 4.3 Bcf per day of capacity and 619 miles of 

pipeline were added to the Central region’s pipeline 

infrastructure. The additional capacity in the Central region 

was more than the capacity of other regional additions 

combined, excluding the Southwest region (where natural 

gas infrastructure is most concentrated). 

Altogether, the infrastructure improvements in the Central 

region in 2007 are estimated to have cost more than $1.6 

billion. Twelve projects were completed, with all but two 

projects representing improvements to interstate pipeline 

infrastructure. In a couple of instances, the projects were 

transportation links to move natural gas to a regional 

market center or hub for sales to either end users or 

marketers (but in either case, further transportation would 

be required). 

The Central region experienced significant infrastructure 

growth in the past several years as producers ramped 

supplies, including unconventional production in the form 

of coalbed methane. The total number of projects 

completed in the region in 2007 was slightly more than in 

2006 (when nine projects were completed, representing 

additions of about 3.9 Bcf per day). Between 1998 and 

2007, 18.3 Bcf per day of capacity was added to the 

Central region’s grid. 

Again, by far the most significant infrastructure 

development taking place in the Central region is the 

construction of Rockies Express, a FERC-regulated 

interstate pipeline with a planned capacity of 1.8 Bcf per 

day. Rockies Express will transport supplies from the 

States of Colorado and Wyoming to a terminus in Ohio 

(and possibly Pennsylvania) by 2009. The first segment of 

the massive pipeline, which is the largest in the United 

States for more than two decades, was completed in 2006. 

The 2006 project, originally called the “Entrega Pipeline,” 

consisted of laying 136 miles of 36-inch pipeline from 

Meeker Hub in Colorado to the Wamsutter Hub in 

Wyoming. From there, the pipeline sponsors in 2007 also 

constructed a 192-mile, 42-inch pipeline to the Cheyenne 

Hub in Colorado. This regional construction eventually 

provided the basis for the proposed pipeline out of the 
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 7 

Central region and into the Midwest (Rockies ExpressWest) and, finally, the future extension of the pipeline 

from the Midwest to the Northeast regions (Rockies 

Express-East). 

Along its proposed route, Rockies Express will 

interconnect with more than 25 intrastate and interstate 

pipelines transporting natural gas from the Gulf region as 

well as the Mid-continent, allowing for a readjustment of 

continental flows and price competition between Rockies 

production and supplies from other parts of the country. 

The 713-mile Rockies Express-West segment of the 

pipeline, which runs from the Cheyenne Hub in Wyoming 

to an interconnection with Panhandle Eastern Pipeline 

Company in Audrain County, Missouri, received FERC 

approval on April 19, 2007, and was completed in May 

2008. Rockies Express-East, which was approved by 

FERC on May 30, 2008, would extend the pipeline another 

638 miles to the Clarington Hub in Monroe County, Ohio. 

The Rockies Express-East portion is expected to reach full 

service in June 2009. 

Rockies Express also provides an outlet to the west for 

Rocky Mountain supplies, although for the most part this 

part of the pipeline will be “virtual,” in that the project 

sponsors have leased capacity on the existing Overthrust 

Pipeline Company (owned by Questar Corporation). The 

extension, from Wamsutter, Wyoming, to the Opal Hub in 

Lincoln County, Wyoming, was authorized by FERC on 

April 19, 2007, and is already in service with up to 1.5 Bcf 

per day of capacity. 

Also in the Central region, Jonah Gas Gathering Company, 

a joint venture of TEPPCO Partners and Enterprise 

Products Partners, in 2007 completed a $300-million 

project adding 160,000 horsepower of compression to the 

Jonah Gas Gathering System in the Jonah and Pinedale 

production fields in southwest Wyoming. The additional 

compression was part of a large pipeline looping project 

known as the “Phase V” expansion project, which 

increased capacity of the gathering system from 1.5 Bcf 

per day of natural gas to 2.4 Bcf per day. The expansion 

included 75 miles of 36-inch pipe and 12 miles of 24-inch 

pipe leading from the Jonah and Pinedale fields to 

processing plants and interstate pipelines near Opal, 

Wyoming. 

Also during 2007, Questar Corp. completed its $108-

million Southern System Expansion II project, bolstering 

westbound deliveries of Rocky Mountain natural gas to 

Goshen, Utah, where Questar Pipeline interconnects with 

the Kern River Gas Transmission Company system. 

Questar constructed approximately 60 miles of 24-inch 

pipeline and modified two existing compressor stations in 

Carbon and Uintah counties in Utah, providing the 

capability to transport up to an additional 175 MMcf per 

day of natural gas from various receipt points on Questar's 

southern pipeline system to Questar's Main Line. 

Midwest Region 

Two pipeline projects were 

completed in the Midwest 

region in 2007, accounting 

for just 460 MMcf per day 

of new capacity and 13 

miles of added pipeline. 

This was the lowest annual 

increase in capacity in the 

region since at least 1998. 

The larger project (in cost 

and added capacity) was a new pipeline lateral in the 

Chicago area constructed by an affiliate of Kinder Morgan 

Inc. Local utility Peoples Gas Light & Coke Company 

contracted for all 360 MMcf of daily capacity on the 28-

mile Kinder Morgan Illinois Pipeline, which connects 

Beecher, Illinois, to the Chicago city limits near Burnham, 

Illinois. The project combined construction of a new 

pipeline and a long-term capacity lease on Natural Gas 

Pipeline Company of America (NGPL), a wholly-owned 

subsidiary of Kinder Morgan. 

The second project in the Midwest was completed by 

Columbia Gas of Ohio, owned by NiSource, Inc. Columbia, 

which is a local distribution company, added 100 MMcf of 

daily capacity to a large distribution artery in Delaware 

County, Ohio, through the addition of compression and new 

pipeline mileage at a cost of $14 million. 

Pipeline expansion in the Midwest region is expected to 

remain at a relatively low level during 2008. However, 

pipeline construction activity is expected to increase 

significantly in 2009 and 2010, particularly with the 

completion of the eastern portion of Rockies Express. Based 

on current plans, at least a portion of Rockies Express-East 

will be completed by January 2009, bringing an additional 

1.8 Bcf per day of capacity into the Midwest to a terminus 

at Clarington Hub in Ohio (Table 3). 

Significant capacity additions in the Midwest region will 

occur with expansions of NGPL and Rockies Express into 

the Chicago area. The two pipeline companies, both of 

which are owned at least partially by Kinder Morgan, will 

expand their respective systems and also construct a joint 

pipeline, expected to be completed in 2008. The system 

improvement will provide up to 750 MMcf per day of 

incremental capacity from production areas in the Rockies 

through the Midwest to Michigan. Supplies for this project 

likely would come from the Rockies producing fields. 

However, the viability of the proposed project will depend 

on growth in Rockies production, as well as competition 

from other pipeline companies that have proposed other 

outlets for Rockies production. 

In 2008, Guardian Pipeline L.L.C., owner of a pipeline 

which entered operations in 2002, will provide service 
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 8 

Table 3. Largest 20 Planned Natural Gas Pipeline Projects for 2008, 2009, and 2010, by Level of Added Capacity

Year 

Planned

State 

Begin

 State 

End

Region 

End

Developer Project Name FERC Docket 

Number

Type of Project Status (as of 

March 2008)

Miles Additional 

Capacity 

(MMcf/d)

1

2008 LA LA Southwest Cheniere Creole Trail LLP Sabine Pass LNG Line CP07-426 Lateral Completed 16 2,700

2008 TX TX Southwest Freeport LNG Development LP Brazoria Interconnector Gas Pipeline Not applicable Lateral Completed 30 2,600

2008 CO CO Central Questar Pipeline Co White River Header Pipeline PF08-3 Lateral Applied (NEPA) 7 2,500

2008 TX TX Southwest NGS Investments LLC Tres Palacios Storage Lateral CP07-90 Interconnection Construction 42 2,500

2008 LA LA Southwest Sempra Energy Inc Cameron Interstate Pipeline CP05-119 Lateral Construction 36 2,350

2008 LA LA Southwest Kinder Morgan Louisiana PL Co Sabine Pass LNG Leg 1 CP06-449 New Pipeline Construction 135 2,130

2008 TX TX Southwest Freeport LNG Development LP Freeport LNG Pipeline CP03-75 Lateral Completed 10 1,750

2008 TX MS Southeast Gulf South Pipeline Co Texas to Mississippi Expansion CP06-446 Compression/New pipeline Completed 243 1,700

2008 CO MO Central Kinder Morgan Energy Partners Rockies Express (REX-West) CP06-354 New Pipeline Completed 718 1,500

2008 LA MS Southeast Southeast Supply Header LLC Southeast Supply Header Pipeline CP07-44 New Pipeline Construction 270 1,400

2008 MS MS Southeast Mississippi Hub LLC Mississippi Hub Storage Lateral CP07-04 Lateral Construction 11 1,200

2008 LA LA Southwest Port Barre Investments LLC Bobcat Storage Lateral CP06-66/67/68 Laterals Construction 20 1,200

2008 TX TX Southwest Enterprise Products Partners Enterprise Sherman Extension Not applicable Extension Construction 178 1,100

2008 MS AL Southeast SGR Holding Corporation Southern Pines Florida/Transco Line CP02-229 New Pipeline Construction 26 1,000

2008 MS MS Southeast Gulf South Pipeline Co Gulf Crossing Mississippi Loop CP07-401 Looping/Compression Applied 18 1,000

2008 MS MS Southeast SGR Holding Corporation Southern Pines Destin Line CP02-229 New Pipeline Construction 3 1,000

2008 CO CO Central Colorado Interstate Gas Co CIG High Plains Project CP07-207 New line Construction 164 900

2008 MD VA Northeast Dominion Cove Point LNG PL Co Cove Point PL 2008 Expansion CP05-132 Looping/Compression Construction 48 800

2008 PA MD Northeast Dominion Transmission Inc Pennsylvania Expansion CP05-131 Looping/Extension Construction 113 700

2008 TX TX Southwest Enbridge Energy Pipeline Co East Texas System Extension Not applicable Extension Construction 190 700

2008 -- -- -- -- Others (76 projects) -- -- -- 2,129 16,689

Total 4,407 47,419

2009 MS MS Southeast NGS Investments LLC Leaf River Storage Headers CP08-8 Lateral Applied 44 2,500

2009 TX TX Southwest Golden Pass LNG Pipeline Loop Golden Pass Southern System CP04-400 Lateral Approved 33 2,500

2009 LA LA Southwest Cheniere Creole Trail LLP Creole Trail Pipeline CP07-426 Lateral Construction 117 2,000

2009 LA LA Southwest Eagle Energy Partners Eagle Hub Header None yet New Line Planning 40 2,000

2009 TX LA Southwest NGS Energy LLC Gulf Coast Connector Planning New line Announced 40 2,000

2009 MO OH Midwest Kinder Morgan Energy Partners Rockies Express (REX East) 1 CP07-208 New Pipeline Applied 393 1,800

2009 OK LA Southwest Gulf Crossing Pipeline Co LLC Gulf Crossing Pipeline Project CP07-398 New Pipeline Applied 356 1,730

2009 LA LA Southwest Spectra Energy Inc (MHP) Egan Storage Lateral Loop CP07-88 Looping Applied 17 1,700

2009 MA CT Northeast Algonquin Gas Trans Co Algonquin East-to-West (EW2) Expansion PF07-15 Looping/Compression Applied (NEPA) 46 1,450

2009 OK AL Southeast Midcontinent Express Pipeline Midcontinent Express System Project CP08-06 New Pipeline Applied 504 1,400

2009 AR MS Southeast Texas Gas Transmission Co Texas Gas Fayetteville Lateral CP07-417 New Pipeline Applied 166 1,100

2009 TX TX Southwest Energy Transfer Co ET Texas Independence Pipeline Not applicable New Pipeline Approved 160 1,100

2009 LA LA Southwest Kinder Morgan Louisiana PL Co Sabine Pass LNG Leg 2 CP06-449 Lateral Approved 1 1,065

2009 TX MS Southeast Enbridge Energy Pipeline Co Texas-Mississippi Pipeline None yet New Pipeline Announced 330 1,000

2009 TX TX Southwest ENSTOR Energy Houston Energy Center Header Line CP07-390 New Pipeline Approved 2 1,000

2009 MS MS Southeast Texas Gas Transmission Co Greenville Lateral CP07-417 New Pipeline Applied 96 768

2009 CO CO Central EnCana Oil & Gas Co Collbran Valley Pipeline Not applicable Lateral Gathering Approved 26 650

2009 PA WV Northeast Chestnut Ridge Storage LLC Uniontown Lateral CP08-36 Lateral Applied 17 500

2009 MA MA Northeast Excelerate Energy LLC Northeast LNG Line Lateral Coast guard Lateral Applied 12 500

2009 TX MX Mexico Sonora Pipeline LLC Burgos Hub Mission Line (US Portion) CP07-74 New Border Crossing Approved 16 500

2009 -- -- -- -- Others (47 projects) -- -- -- 1,278 7,199

Total 3,696 34,462

2010 GM AL Southeast McMoran Exploration Inc MPEH Pipeline Project Not applicable New Pipeline Approved 97 1,600

2010 MD PA Northeast AES Corp AES Mid-Atlantic Express Project CP07-62 Looping/Compression Applied 88 1,500

2010 TX TX Southwest 4Gas Texas LLC Vista del Sol LNG Line CP04-405 Lateral Approved 25 1,400

2010 MS MS Southeast Spectra Energy Inc (MHP) MHP SESH Copiah Storage Lateral CP02-25 Lateral Approved 13 1,300

2010 OR OR Western Northern Star Natural Gas LLC Bradwood Landing Pipeline CP06-366 Lateral Applied 34 1,300

2010 GA GA Southeast Southern Natural Gas Co SONAT Elba Express III CP06-470 Extension Approved 189 1,175

2010 WY IA Central Kinder Morgan Energy Partners REX/NGPL Phase 1 None yet New Line Proposed 175 1,000

2010 IA IL Midwest Kinder Morgan Energy Partners REX/NGPL Joint Project Phase 2 None yet New Line Proposed 240 1,000

2010 LA LA Southwest Liberty Gas Storage LLC Liberty Storage Pipeline Expansion PF08-07 Lateral Applied (NEPA) 5 1,000

2010 TX TX Southwest Calhoun LNG Inc Point Comfort LNG Line CP05-380 Lateral Approved 27 1,000

2010 FL FL Southeast Calypso U.S. Pipeliine LLC Calypso Pipeline Project CP01-409 New Pipeline Approved 20 832

2010 LA LA Southwest Stark Gas Storage LLC Stark Storage Pipeline CP05-08 Lateral Construction 35 800

2010 OH NY Northeast National Fuel Gas Supply Corp NFGS West-to-East Project None yet New Pipeline Announced 324 700

2010 AL AL Southeast Transcontinental Gas P L Co Transco Mobile Bay Lateral Expansion None yet Looping/Compression Planning 0 700

2010 OH PA Northeast Transcontinental Gas P L Co Transco Rockies Connector None yet New Line Planning 250 688

2010 PA NY Northeast Transcontinental Gas P L Co Transco Northeast Connector Expansion None yet Looping/Compression Planning 0 668

2010 ME ME Northeast Downeast LNG LLC Downeast LNG Lateral CP07-52/55 Lateral Applied 30 625

2010 CN CT Northeast Iroquois Pipeline Co Iroquois MetroExpress Project None yet Looping/Compression Planning 0 500

2010 PA NY Northeast NiSource Gas Transmission & St New Penn Project None yet New Pipeline Announced 82 500

2010 GA GA Southeast Southern Natural Gas Co SONAT SSEIII Phase 1 PF08-13 Looping/Replacement Applied (NEPA) 42 370

2010 -- -- -- -- Others (15 projects) -- -- -- 279 2,612

Total 1,955 21,270

3-Year 

Total 198 Projects 10,057 103,151

 

MMcf/d = million cubic feet per day. GM = Gulf of Mexico. 

Source: Energy Information Administration, GasTran Natural Gas Transportation Information System, Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Database, as of May 31, 2008.

1

 Companies report capacity levels are in Btus, decatherms, or volumetric units. In this table and report, reported capacity figures are presented as volumetric (MMcf/d = million cubic feet per day) 

assuming a conversion factor of 1 MMcf/d = 1 thousand decatherms per day = 1 billion btus per day. 
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 9 

to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for the first time through 

completion of a 106-mile extension from Guardian’s current 

terminus near Ionia, Wisconsin. The expansion would add 

about 550 MMcf per day of capacity to the Green Bay area at 

a cost of between $200 and $250 million. 

Northeast Region

Nine pipeline expansions were 

completed in the Northeast region 

in 2007, representing 1.7 Bcf per 

day of additional capacity and 134 

miles of new pipeline. The added 

capacity during 2007 was greater 

than that in each of the previous 2 

years for the region. Although 

pipeline construction activity has 

been relatively limited in recent 

years compared with other 

regions, the increased activity in 2007 likely will be followed 

up by growing construction activity through 2010 and 

beyond, even if some planned projects are not completed 

(Table 4). 

The largest project completed in the Northeast during 2007 in 

terms of investment cost was an expansion of Algonquin Gas 

Transmission to transport supplies related to new imports of 

LNG. Algonquin placed into service its 16-mile link to the 

Northeast Gateway LNG port offshore Massachusetts. This 

$180-million, 32-inch lateral was built to transport up to 800 

MMcf per day of regasified supplies to customers in the New 

England market from the new port, which is owned by 

Excelerate Energy. 

Notwithstanding this LNG-related project, pipeline 

expansions in the Northeast region in 2007 served primarily 

to improve service within the region itself, as building longhaul capacity into the region has proved difficult in the past 

few years in part because of opposition from local 

communities and environmental organizations. While all of 

the projects completed in 2007 were related to interstate 

pipelines, they did not extend beyond the Northeast region. 

Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Corp. (Transco) completed a 

$162-million system expansion to improve access to Long 

Island, New York, customers. The “Leidy to Long Island” 

project involved construction of 15 miles of 20-inch pipeline 

and related improvements that expanded Transco’s pipeline 

system by 100 MMcf per day. The project, first proposed 3 

years ago, is based on a 20-year binding precedent agreement 

executed by Transco and KeySpan. 

Two major market-area expansions were completed by 

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (TGP) and Texas Eastern 

Gas Transmission Corp. TGP placed its “Northeast 

ConneXion – New England” expansion project into service, 

increasing compression at six existing stations and adding 

one new compressor station, in order to provide an additional 

136 MMcf per day of capacity in the New England market 

area. The Texas Eastern Incremental Market Expansion II 

Project (TIME II) required 6.4 miles of 36-inch pipe in 

Somerset and Bedford counties, Pennsylvania; 4.9 miles of 

36-inch pipeline replacement in Franklin County, 

Pennsylvania; 10.4 miles of 36-inch pipeline replacement in 

Bucks County, Pennsylvania; and a new 16,000 horsepower 

electric compression unit and compressor station in 

Heidlersburg, Pennsylvania. 

The level of pipeline construction in the Northeast is likely to 

increase in the next few years as long-planned system 

expansions take place and flows from new LNG facilities and 

existing facility expansions commence. Thirty-two projects, 

totaling as much as 8.5 Bcf per day of new capacity, have 

been announced, submitted for regulatory review, or 

approved for development during 2008 and 2009. However, 

it is far from certain how many of these projects will be 

completed, especially those that have yet to be filed with the 

FERC. 

The Millennium Pipeline, a 182-mile, 30-inch line across 

southern New York, is finally under construction after many 

years of planning and regulatory review. The final, revised 

project will serve markets along its route through the lower 

Hudson Valley, as well as provide service to New York City 

markets through its pipeline interconnections. Millennium, 

which is owned by NiSource, Inc., KeySpan Corporation, 

and DTE Energy Company, is expected to be in service in 

November 2008 and transport up to 525 MMcf per day. 

Besides the Northeast Gateway pipeline, the Northeast will 

be the destination of new LNG volumes from the expansion 

of the Cove Point LNG terminal, owned by Dominion Corp. 

Dominion has started construction of a 48-mile pipeline that 

would provide deliveries of regasified LNG from the 

expanding LNG facility located in Southern Maryland on the 

Chesapeake Bay. The 37-inch Cove Point Pipeline, expected 

to be completed in 2008, will extend 48 miles west from the 

marine terminal to connections with interstate pipelines in 

Virginia. 

Also under consideration are numerous proposals to expand 

existing infrastructure to provide an outlet for increased 

supplies from the Rockies, once the Rockies Express is 

complete. National Fuel Gas Company has proposed a 324-

mile pipeline to deliver Rockies gas from Ohio to Corning, 

New York, while Texas Eastern Transmission Company's 

Northern Bridge expansion would provide incremental 

capacity from Ohio to Oakford in the Philadelphia-Camden 

metropolitan area. Another proposed outlet for increased 

supplies from the Rockies is Williams Companies' proposed 

Rockies Connector Pipeline, which would extend 

approximately 250 miles, connecting its Transco Station 195 

in York County, Pennsylvania, to the eastern terminus of the 

Rockies Express in Ohio. The owners of the Rockies 

Express Pipeline have also proposed extending the pipeline 

further east to Linden, New Jersey, by 2011.
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 10 

Southeast 

Two natural gas pipeline 

expansion projects were completed 

in the Southeast in 2007, bringing 

an additional 430 MMcf per day of 

capacity to the region’s pipeline 

infrastructure. With the exception 

of pipeline construction activity 

during 2006, the 2007 level of 

capacity additions was the lowest 

level of yearly additions at least 

since 1998. However, the lull in pipeline construction activity 

in the region will likely prove temporary with construction 

activity related to several proposed conventional storage sites 

and added import capacity in the form of LNG facilities 

proposed for construction. 

The larger of the capacity additions in the Southeast in 2007 

was related to the ongoing expansion of the El Paso Corp.-

owned Southern LNG terminal, located on Elba Island, 

Georgia. Southern Natural Gas Company (SNG), which is 

the interstate pipeline network that connects to the LNG 

terminal and also is owned by El Paso Corp., completed a 

first phase of a new pipeline from the terminal to Florida. In 

2007, the new 167-mile Cypress Pipeline extended the SNG 

system into southern Georgia and northern Florida, 

interconnecting with the Florida Gas Transmission system 

near Jacksonville, Florida. At a cost of $240 million, a 

project was completed adding 335 MMcf per day of capacity 

from the Southern LNG terminal to Cypress. 

Construction activities for Cypress Pipeline will continue 

between 2008 and 2010 in two additional phases. 

Engineering and procurement activities are currently 

underway for Phase II of the project, when compression 

facilities will be installed to add 116 MMcf per day of 

capacity to the pipeline starting in 2008. The third phase is 

intended to boost the new pipeline’s capacity through the 

installation of additional compressor units, resulting in over 

100 MMcf per day of incremental transportation capability. 

The growing natural gas market in Florida, which includes 

new and planned natural-gas-fired electric power generation 

plants, has now required seven expansions of the Florida Gas 

Transmission Company (FGT) system. The Phase VII 

expansion, completed in 2007, required the construction of 

17 miles of 36-inch pipeline in several segments along an 

existing right-of-way, as well as installation of 9,800 

horsepower of compression. 

Pipeline construction activities continue related to proposed 

development of LNG facilities for direct delivery into 

Florida. Earlier this decade, these pipeline proposals chiefly 

consisted of plans to link LNG terminals in the Bahamas to 

the Florida market. While the FERC-jurisdictional portions 

of these projects have been approved, little progress has been 

made by project sponsors in getting Bahamian authorities to 

permit the building of the LNG facilities that would feed the 

proposed natural gas pipelines. 

As a result of delays in the Bahamas and for other reasons, 

Suez Energy North America Inc. has revised its LNG project 

design and plans to receive LNG supplies from a proposed 

LNG offloading terminal to be located offshore southern 

Florida. Suez-owned Calypso LNG LLC intends develop a 

submerged buoy system located approximately 10 miles off 

the southeastern coast of Florida. The system is considered a 

"Deep Water Port" (DWP). The Calypso DWP will serve as 

an offshore delivery point for connection to specially built 

LNG tankers that will vaporize stored LNG and send it 

through the buoy system into a pipeline. The Calypso 

Pipeline would make landfall in Broward County, Florida, 

and come onshore in Port Everglades, travel approximately 5 

miles along an existing industrial corridor, and ultimately 

connect to the existing FGT pipeline system. Suez plans to 

have all facilities operational by 2009. 

In the Southeast region, several projects are either under 

construction or proposed to regulatory authorities to bring 

supplies from the Southwest. Although this is a traditional 

Added 

Capacity 

(MMcf/d)2

Estimated 

Cost 

(Million 

Dollars)

Miles Added 

Capacity 

(MMcf/d)2

Estimated 

Cost 

(Million 

Dollars)

Miles Added 

Capacity 

(MMcf/d)2

Estimated 

Cost 

(Million 

Dollars)

Miles Added 

Capacity 

(MMcf/d)2

Estimated 

Cost 

(Million 

Dollars)

Miles Added 

Capacity 

(MMcf/d)2

Estimated 

Cost 

(Million 

Dollars)

Miles

Central 3,873 823 550 4,280 1,607 619 6,833 2,233 1,200 1,472 309 319 1,725 1,030 279

Midwest 478 127 56 460 27 13 848 354 160 2,151 2,693 694 1,000 1,200 240

Northeast 1,082 166 116 1,749 784 134 4,415 2,001 478 4,194 752 151 6,236 2,241 888

Southeast 430 42 32 430 304 184 10,295 3,558 924 7,480 2,622 1,195 6,464 716 397

Southwest 6,792 1,124 822 6,971 1,471 700 24,316 3,800 1,380 17,590 3,140 1,222 4,200 199 92

Western 50 11 6 723 39 13 651 691 264 90 24 46 1,645 200 59

 Mexico/Canada 0 0 0 245 70 0 60 1 0 1,485 82 69 0 0 0

 U.S. Total 12,705 2,293 1,582 14,859 4,302 1,663 47,419 12,638 4,407 34,462 9,622 3,696 21,270 5,586 1,955

Table 4. Recent and Proposed Regional Natural Gas Pipeline Additions and Expansions, 2006 - 2010 

2

 When announcing the design capacity for a proposed project or expansion, a pipeline company may provide either a volumetric (per cubic feet) or energy content (btus/therms) value. In this table, reported capacity 

figures are presented as volumetric (MMcf/d = million cubic feet per day) assuming a conversion factor of 1 MMcf/d = 1 thousand decatherms per day = 1 billion btus per day. 

Region (within 

or into)

Scheduled/Proposed for 2008 Completed in 2007 1 Proposed for 20091

1

 Only projects that were approved or under construction prior to May 1, 2008, and which have a proposed completion date in 2008 are included under "Scheduled for 2008." All other projects that have a proposed 

completion date in 2008 through 2010, other than those canceled or on-hold, are included under 2009 or 2010. 

Source: Energy Information Administration, GasTran Natural Gas Transportation Information System, Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Database, as of May 31, 2008.

Notes: Excludes projects on hold as of December 2007. In the table, a project that crosses interregional boundaries is included in the region in which it terminates. Offshore Gulf of Mexico projects are included in the 

Southwest region. Totals may not agree with those in Tables 1 or 3 because of independent rounding.

Completed in 2006 Proposed for 20101
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 11 

pipeline corridor, the expansions relate more to supplies from 

new unconventional resource development in northeastern 

Texas (Barnett Shale) and parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas 

(Fayetteville Shale). For example, Texas Gas Transmission 

(TGT), which is a 5,900-mile pipeline owned by Boardwalk 

Pipeline Partners, intends to increase the capacity of its 

proposed Fayetteville and Greenville laterals to 1.2 Bcf per 

day from the current capacity of 800 MMcf per day. The 

lateral projects would provide takeaway capacity for natural 

gas from the Fayetteville Shale area in north-central 

Arkansas. The Fayetteville lateral will be a 166-mile, 36-inch 

pipeline transporting up to 1.1 Bcf per day. The proposed 

lateral would traverse several counties in Arkansas and 

interconnect with TGT in Coahoma County, Mississippi. The 

Greenville lateral will be a 96-mile pipeline with a capacity 

of 768 MMcf per day, extending from TGT’s mainline near 

Greenville, Mississippi, east to Kosciusko, Mississippi. 

Additionally, significant pipeline capacity will be added in 

the region in 2008 in conjunction with the completion of an 

underground storage complex under construction in 

Mississippi. Southern Pines Energy Center, owned by SG 

Resources Mississippi, L.L.C. and located in Greene County, 

Mississippi, will have 29 miles of dual 24-inch bidirectional 

natural gas pipelines and associated facilities that will 

connect with the FGT system and Transco. Mississippi Hub 

LLC is also nearing completion of a large new underground 

storage complex (eventually able to hold 30 Bcf) and related 

pipelines near Jackson, Mississippi. Related to this 

development, the owners of the complex are constructing a 

short large pipeline with a capacity of 1.2 Bcf per day. 

Southwest and Gulf of Mexico 

In the Southwest, production increases, particularly in the 

Barnett Shale play of the 

Fort Worth Basin and other 

areas of northeast Texas, 

have created greater 

demand for takeaway 

capacity and more pipeline 

interconnections. In 2007, 

21 natural gas pipeline 

projects were completed in 

the region, which is home to the most natural gas pipeline 

mileage in the United States and usually accounts for most of 

the added capacity during any one year. Nonetheless, 

capacity additions of 7.0 Bcf per day were the highest yearly 

increase since at least 1998. 

In 2007, approximately 700 miles of pipelines were added to 

the region’s infrastructure at a cost of about $1.5 billion. Of 

the 21 pipeline projects constructed in the Southwest, 10 

were related to new pipeline builds or expansions in the 

northeast Texas area or to new flows from the Barnett Shale 

and accounted for approximately 52 percent (361 miles) of 

the added pipeline mileage in the region. These infrastructure 

improvements in northeast Texas also added 4.0 Bcf per day 

of capacity, which accounted for 57 percent of the added 

capacity in the region. 

Completed projects in 2007 included a number of 

enhancements to the interstate grid and new connections 

between market centers. The most significant projects took 

place on intrastate systems owned by Centerpoint Energy 

Gas Transmission Company and Energy Transfer Partners. 

Centerpoint Energy Gas Transmission constructed a new 

172-mile pipeline from northeastern Texas to the Perryville 

Hub in northern Louisiana. In east Texas, it connects to the 

Carthage Hub, a market center with interconnections of 

intrastate systems developed by such companies as Atmos 

Energy, Inc., Crosstex Energy Services, Energy Transfer 

Partners LP, and Enbridge Pipelines LP. The Perryville Hub 

connects with nine interstate pipelines and two intrastate 

pipelines. Phase I of the 42-inch pipeline has a capacity of 

nearly 425 MMcf per day, but Centerpoint intends to expand 

its capacity to 1.5 Bcf per day by the end of 2008. The total 

cost of the project, including the expansion, is expected to be 

approximately $550 million. 

Energy Transfer installed 135 miles of 42-inch natural gas 

pipeline in northeast Texas, connecting to the company’s 

existing ET Fuel System in Freestone County, the Bethel 

Storage Facility, and the company’s existing 30-inch Texoma 

Pipeline in Rusk County. The pipeline provides Energy 

Transfer with additional takeaway capacity to transport gas 

from the Barnett Shale and Bossier Sands producing areas. 

This completed a multiphase project that resulted in a single 

pipeline providing transportation capacity of 1 Bcf per day 

out of the Barnett Shale producing region to the Carthage 

Hub in East Texas. 

Dallas-based Crosstex completed construction of its $20 

million project to add 125 MMcf per day of capacity to its 

North Texas Pipeline, chiefly through additional 

compression. This project was the final stage of a multiyear 

system upgrade that also included the $90 million 

construction of more than 140 miles of 24-inch pipeline in 

six North Texas counties. The pipeline begins at a point just 

north of Fort Worth and gathers and transports natural gas 

from the Barnett Shale to interconnections with multiple 

interstate and intrastate pipelines. Currently, the line has the 

capacity to deliver 375 MMcf per day. 

Already in 2008, Gulf South Pipeline Company has 

completed a new natural gas pipeline with a capacity of 1.7 

Bcf per day, also from the Carthage area to the Perryville 

Hub in northeast Louisiana. Along the route, there are 

multiple interconnections with other interstate pipelines such 

as ANR Pipeline Company and Tennessee Gas Pipeline 

Company. The project also includes an extension of this new 

natural gas pipeline 86 miles eastward to Jackson, 

Mississippi, where it will interconnect with the 

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line system, allowing its shippers 
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 12 

the opportunity to access Northeast and Southeast markets as 

well. Gulf South’s Southeast Expansion to Mississippi 

includes 112 miles of new 42-inch pipeline with a capacity of 

1.2 Bcf per day of capacity. Lastly, Gulf South has proposed 

the construction of approximately 357 miles of 42-inch 

pipeline that will originate near Sherman, Texas and proceed 

to the Perryville, Louisiana area. 

In addition to the Gulf South Pipeline projects, Kinder 

Morgan Energy Partners LP in 2008 plans to build a new 38-

mile “Carthage Pipeline” that would provide up to 700 MMcf 

per day of capacity from the producing area around Carthage, 

Texas, to northwestern Louisiana. NGPL, the subsidiary of 

Kinder Morgan, also is planning to expand its Louisiana and 

Gulf Coast systems (by 200 MMcf per day in 2008) to 

accommodate expanding production in the region. 

Capacity from the offshore Gulf of Mexico expanded in 

2007. During the year, three projects involving the 

installation of about 28 miles of new pipeline were 

completed, increasing capacity from the offshore by a 

combined 1.6 Bcf per day. Since 1998, more than 1,500 

miles of gathering and offshore-to-onshore transportation 

pipelines have been built in the Gulf of Mexico, an 

investment of at least $2.4 billion that added 14.9 Bcf per day 

of new pipeline capacity in the region. The largest pipeline 

addition in the Gulf was the Tennessee Gas Pipeline 

“Deepwater Link” connection, which required very little in 

terms of pipeline mileage but nonetheless added 1 Bcf per 

day of deliverability to the Independence Hub, which is a 

major new deepwater platform in West Delta Block 68 of the 

Gulf of Mexico. All production through the new 

Independence Hub is transported onshore by the 

Independence Trails Offshore Line, which is owned by 

Houston-based Enterprise Products Partners LP. It is a 134-

mile, 24-inch pipeline that was constructed in 2006. 

Capacity additions are scheduled during the next several 

years in the Southwest region as a result of increased 

investment in LNG infrastructure (Figure 5). By the close of 

2009, four new LNG import facilities are expected to have 

the capacity to deliver as much as 7.6 Bcf per day of 

vaporized LNG into the existing natural gas pipeline network 

in the region, most of it into the interstate network. Unless 

Legend

Interstate Pipelines

Intrastate Pipelines

West Virginia

Utah

Figure 5. Major Natural Gas Pipeline Corridor Expansions, 2008-2010

1,500 MMcf/d– Wyoming to Missouri

(KM Rockies Express – 2008)

35,234 MMcf/d (2008-2010)

(of which 34,734 MMcf/d is related to 

LNG import pipeline projects)

1,440 MMcf/d exports

500 MMcf/d imports

Mexico (2008-2009)

MMcf/d = million cubic feet per day. LNG = liquefied natural gas.

Note: The Energy Information Administration has determined that publication of this figure does not raise security concerns, based on 

the application of Federal Geographic Data Committee’s Guidelines for Providing Appropriate Access to Geospatial Data in Response 

to Security Concerns. 

Source: Energy Information Administration, GasTran Gas Transportation Information System, Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Database.

6,678 MMcf/d from Piceance,Unita Basins, 

Green River, and Powder River Basins to

interstate network (includes 4,230 MMcf/d

new gathering operations - 2008-2010)

105 MMcf/d capacity 

expansion to/from Canada 

(Vector Pipeline 2009)

620 MMcf/d import expansions

(Maritimes & Northeast – 2008 & 2010)

2,400 MMcf/d import capacity

(2 projects – 2008 & 2010)

5,838 MMcf/d expansions 

and new pipelines

(2008-2010)

832 MMcf/d LNG imports

(Calypso Pipeline – 2010)

1,800 MMcf/d– Missouri to Ohio

(KM Rockies Express – 2009)

5,125 MMcf/d LNG 

Import PL capacity

(2008-2010)

9,017 MMcf/d from 

Southwest to Southeast

Interconnections (2008-2010)

500 MMcf/d Expansion

(Kern River Transmission - 2010)

1,300 MMcf/d LNG 

imports (Bradford 

Landing – 2010)
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 13 

natural gas pipeline capacity in the vicinity of these new 

LNG facilities is significantly underutilized, interstate natural 

gas pipelines in the area will have to seek approval of 

complementary expansion proposals as additional LNG sites 

near completion status and imports increase. 

To date announced projects relating to LNG capacity 

additions in the region involve a combined 463 miles of new 

natural gas header (lateral) pipelines. Related to the Sabine 

Pass LNG terminal is the construction of the $572-million 

Creole Trail Pipeline, with Cheniere as the owner and 

operator. This new 2.7-Bcf-per-day pipeline will connect the 

Sabine Pass LNG and Creole Trail LNG facilities, both of 

which are owned by Cheniere, and then connect to multiple 

interstate pipelines in southern Louisiana. The total length of 

the proposed line is just 16 miles, but added capacity to the 

region would total 2.7 Bcf per day. Freeport LNG, in early 

2008 completed a 10-mile pipeline associated with its 

sendout of regasified LNG. With a capacity of 1.75 Bcf per 

day, the Freeport LNG Pipeline transports natural gas to 

Stratton Ridge, Texas, where the pipeline interconnects with 

several intrastate systems. 

Another one of these header projects is associated with the 

Golden Pass LNG facility, to be located near Port Arthur, 

Texas. The header system consists of a 2.5-Bcf-per-day 

lateral comprising 33 miles of natural gas pipeline connecting 

the Golden Pass facility with the Sabine Pipeline and 

Transcontinental Gas Pipeline interstate systems and the 

ExxonMobil refinery in nearby Beaumont, Texas. 

ExxonMobil and Qatargas are partners in the project. 

West 

Very little capacity was added to West region infrastructure 

in 2007. Only three natural gas pipeline projects, costing a 

total of $39 million and amounting to only 723 MMcf per 

day of added capacity, were completed in the region during 

the year. The largest capacity addition 

into the region during the year was an 

upgrade to the North Baja Pipeline in 

southern California and Mexico. Flows 

on the North Baja Pipeline, originally 

constructed in 2002 to transport natural 

gas from California into Mexico, were 

reversed. The motivation for the project 

comes from the construction of the 

Costal Azul LNG terminal in Baja 

California, which will provide supplies 

to meet incremental demand in Mexico and possibly imports 

to the United States. 

In the first phase of the pipeline project, Sempra Energy, 

owner of both the Costa Azul LNG terminal and a portion of 

the North Baja Pipeline, modified North Baja’s Ehrenberg 

Compressor Station and the Ogilby Meter Station to allow for 

gas flow in the opposite direction (south to north) from their 

current configuration. Sempra Energy also has plans to 

construct a new 42-inch pipeline crossing under the Colorado 

River, eventually bringing total capacity to more than 1.2 Bcf 

per day from the current capacity of 500 MMcf per day. 

The lack of significant capacity additions for 2007 was the 

third consecutive year in which there was little activity in the 

Western region. Although pipeline construction activity in 

the region will likely continue to be limited in the next few 

years, several significant projects are underway. A host of 

other LNG-related projects are also still active in the West 

region, most of which would involve construction of new 

pipeline in some form. However, most of the project 

timelines have slipped considerably to beyond 2010. For 

example, Crystal Clearwater Port intends to build a 

deepwater port offshore California to receive LNG, along 

with a new 12.6-mile, 32-inch pipeline to bring the supplies 

onshore. While these plans are moving forward, the expected 

completion date for the Clearwater Port has been pushed 

back to 2011 from an original target completion year of 2008 

and the facility has not yet received government approvals. 

Import/Export Pipeline Capacity 

For the third consecutive year, no natural gas pipeline import 

capacity was added between the United States and Canada or 

Mexico during 2007. After significant capacity increases in 

the 1990s and early this decade, much of the pipeline grid in 

North America is well integrated. Large projects between 

Canada and the United States in the past 10 years included 

new pipelines such as Alliance Pipeline from the Western 

Canadian Sedimentary Basin, the Maritimes and Northeast 

Pipeline from eastern Canada, and expansions of existing 

pipelines such as Northern Border Pipeline. Trade with 

Mexico has also increased substantially with the construction 

of the North Baja Pipeline, as well as extensions of 

Tennessee Gas Pipeline and Kinder Morgan Pipeline at, 

respectively, Rio Bravo, Texas, and Roma, Texas. 

While construction of pipelines to import natural gas from 

Canada has virtually halted, one pipeline project was 

completed in 2007 to increase U.S. exports to Canada. In the 

Midwest region, the Vector Pipeline Company completed 

construction of two additional compressor stations to expand 

the pipeline system’s capacity by approximately 245 MMcf 

per day. Vector, which is a 348-mile pipeline transporting 

natural gas between Chicago, Illinois, and Ontario, Canada, 

will have greater flexibility and system reliability for 

customers seeking natural gas transportation services after 

the expansion, according to company officials. The 

additional compression is designed to increase Vector's 

mainline long-haul gas delivery capacity to the international 

boundary to 1.2 Bcf per day in the summer and to 1.5 Bcf per 
 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and Gas, July 2008 14 

day in the winter. 

By the end of 2008, the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline 

Company (M&NE) is expected to complete an expansion of 

its system between New Brunswick, Canada, and northern 

Massachusetts. The capacity addition of about 420 MMcf per 

day coincides with the expected 2008 completion of an LNG 

import facility currently under construction in New 

Brunswick, Canada (Canaport LNG). M&NE anticipates 

completing new compressor stations in Woodchopping 

Ridge, Westbrook, and Eliot, Maine. Total capacity of the 

line will be about 800 MMcf per day when the expansion is 

complete, with the vast majority of the capacity held by 

Repsol YPF, which is expected to be the LNG supplier to the 

Canaport facility. 

Import capacity into the Northeast region also is projected to 

increase with expansions of the Iroquois Gas Transmission 

and Empire Gas Pipeline systems, which currently have a 

combined total of 1.7 Bcf per day of natural gas import 

capacity through Ontario, Canada. Iroquois will add 100 

MMcf per day of capacity as part of its MarketAccess 

project, and Empire will increase its natural gas pipeline 

import capacity from 525 MMcf per day to 775 MMcf per 

day in order to provide needed deliverability to the 

Millennium Pipeline project. Both projects are scheduled for 

completion in 2008. 

Between 2008 and 2010, the pace of creating additional 

natural gas pipeline export capacity could once again 

increase with several crossborder projects, including three 

expansions and three new crossings. Along the border 

between the United States and Mexico, two new 

pipeline/border crossing projects have been proposed, with 

completion dates of 2008 or later. The Tidelands Oil and Gas 

Company has proposed two new natural gas pipelines, each 

with a capacity of 500 MMcf per day. The Progresso and 

Mission lines, each partly in Texas and partly in Mexico, 

would link with a planned (Terranova Oriente) pipeline 

within Mexico. The U.S. portion of this border project would 

link to a natural gas processing plant and several natural gas 

pipeline systems located in south Texas. 

Observations and Outlook 

Pipeline infrastructure expansion activity again appears to be 

on an upswing. Natural gas pipeline capacity added during 

2007 (14.9 Bcf per day) was substantially higher than the 

additions of prior years going back at least to 1998. 

Moreover, the current inventory of project proposals 

indicates potential acceleration in pipeline construction over 

the next several years. 

As much as 103 Bcf per day of pipeline capacity would be 

added to the national network between 2008 and 2010 if all 

current proposals were completed as designed and as 

scheduled, although this is unlikely in part because mainly of 

the proposals target similar markets. Overall, about 200 

natural gas pipeline projects have been proposed for 

development between 2008 and 2010 in the United States (as 

of April 2008). These projects account for more than 10,100 

miles of potential new natural gas pipeline. To date, 41 

projects have been approved by regulating authorities and 

have begun, or are permitted to begin, construction, with 4 of 

the projects scheduled for early 2008 already completed. 

While 13 projects are still only in the planning, or post-openseason stage, 46 have been submitted to various regulatory 

authorities for review. 

The outlook for new additions to the U.S. pipeline grid 

appears positive. The development of a number of proposed 

new LNG import facilities along the coastline of the United 

States, as well as some in Canada and Mexico, if realized, 

likely will continue to spark new pipeline proposals. Each of 

these facilities requires new natural gas pipeline laterals to 

transport vaporized LNG to interconnections with existing 

interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines. A substantial 

amount of pipeline capacity additions over the next 3 years 

will also come from the intense development activity in the 

Rockies and the northeast Texas producing areas. 

In the Unita/Piceance Basin of western Colorado/eastern 

Utah and the Green River and Powder River Basins of 

Wyoming, for instance, more than 6.9 Bcf per day of new 

natural gas pipeline capacity has been proposed that would 

increase natural gas pipeline exit capacity from the region 

between 2008 and 2010. Additionally, in the northeast Texas 

area, particularly the Barnett Shale and Bossier Formations 

of the Fort Worth Basin, increasing production and the 

discovery of additional proved natural gas reserves have 

resulted in numerous proposals for development over the 

next several years. Most of the latter capacity will be directed 

toward interconnections with the interstate natural gas 

pipeline network in Louisiana and Mississippi that serves the 

Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regional markets.