FERC certificated seven natural gas pipeline projects before loss of quorum

In the first few weeks of 2017, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) certificated seven new natural gas pipeline projects totaling more than seven billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) before losing its quorum with the departure of one commissioner in February.

The commissioner’s departure left just two sitting commissioners and three vacant positions. Consideration of the 33 projects in the application process and 20 projects that submitted pre-filings as of Feb. 23 will be delayed until the commission reestablishes a quorum.

The seven projects already approved this year constitute 1,500 miles of pipeline construction and extensions. The projects are concentrated in the eastern half of the United States. They have estimated in-service dates in 2017 and 2018.

Two large-capacity projects, the Rover Pipeline Project and the Atlantic Sunrise Project, were approved this year.

The $4.2 billion Rover Pipeline Project will move natural gas from the Utica shale play in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio to Ohio; West Virginia; Michigan; and Ontario, Canada at a capacity of 3.3 Bcf/d. Construction will commence in the first quarter of 2017.

With a capacity of 1.7 Bcf/d, the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline will move natural gas out of the Marcellus shale play to markets in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic states. Construction of the $2.6 billion expansion will begin in mid-2017.

FERC also certificated the Orion Project, Transco to Charleston Project, Northern Lights 2017 Expansion, Rayne and Leach Xpress, and Northern Access.