FERC approves Colorado Hub Connection

Williams has announced that the FERC has issued to Northwest Pipeline GP, Williams’ majority-owned subsidiary, a certificate approving construction and operation of a 24-in. natural gas transmission pipeline in Colorado that will bring additional gas supplies from the Piceance Basin to Northwest’s on-system and off-system markets. The new 27.4-mi pipeline and related facilities, known as the Colorado Hub Connection, will connect the Meeker/White River hub, a regional production area hub, with Northwest’s existing mainline system south of Rangely, Colorado. The project will provide approximately 360,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation service on Northwest’s mainline to delivery points as far south as Ignacio, Colorado. At Ignacio, Northwest interconnects with El Paso Natural Gas and Transwestern Pipeline Company. Williams anticipates starting construction on the project in May, and the pipeline is expected to be in-service by Nov. 1, 2009. The estimated cost of the project is $60 million.