Pipeline expansion proposed for new gas field -- The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, Maine

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline is proposing another expansion of the capacity of the U.S. portion of its pipeline system to transport new natural gas supplies from EnCana Corporation's Deep Panuke off the coast of Nova Scotia to markets in the northeastern U.S. The Deep Panuke field, approximately 250 kilometers southeast of Nova Scotia on the Scotian Shelf, is expected to be supplying natural gas in 2010. The pipeline expansion, called the Phase V Project, would be placed into service in November 2010 and would include the installation of additional compression at the compressor station in Baileyville.

Maritimes & Northeast is holding a series of open houses about the project, including one in Baileyville on Wednesday, May 14. At the open house, company representatives will answer any questions about the project. The open house will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Woodland Elementary School.

The company is currently working on its Phase IV Project, which will double the existing pipeline's capacity to handle natural gas from the Canaport LNG terminal being constructed in Saint John. The Phase IV Project will connect with the Brunswick Pipeline that is being constructed from the LNG terminal in Saint John to the border at Baileyville. The project will be completed later this year. The additional capacity will be available in November, and gas from the Canaport terminal will begin flowing then.

Under the Phase V Project, additional compression will be added at compressor stations at Baileyville and Richmond, and the compressor stations in Woodchopping Ridge, Brewer, Searsmont and Eliot will be placed into service this year. Approximately 4 miles of 36-inch diameter pipeline loop will be placed along the existing pipeline corridor in Richmond, and Maritimes plans to increase the operating pressure along the pipeline from Baileyville to Westbrook from 1440 pounds per square inch (psig) to 1600 psig. By increasing the pressure, Maritimes will not need to construct approximately 50 miles of additional pipeline loop for the expansion.

Marylee Hanley, manager of government and public affairs for Maritimes & Northeast, says the pipeline, which was constructed in 1999, is designed to be readily expandable and can be expanded beyond the Phase V project. She adds that it is an open-access pipeline that any company supplying natural gas may seek to use to transport the gas to markets. Maritimes & Northeast has not made any agreements yet to transport gas from either the proposed Quoddy Bay LNG terminal at Pleasant Point or the Downeast LNG terminal in Robbinston.