Williams Plans NGL Pipeline in Alberta, Canada
30 4월 2009 - 8:15PM
PR Newswire (US)
- Pipeline to Create Strategic Outlet for Oil-Sands-Produced NGLs
TULSA, Okla., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Williams
(NYSE:WMB) today announced plans to build a pipeline in Alberta,
Canada, to transport natural gas liquids and olefins from its
extraction plant in Fort McMurray to its Redwater processing
facility. Williams currently processes off-gas from Suncor Energy's
(NYSE and TSX: SU) oil-sands facility in the Fort McMurray area,
extracts the natural gas liquids and olefins and transports them
via the Suncor Oil Sands Pipe Line. The new 12-inch proposed
pipeline will provide additional capacity for Suncor liquids, as
well as natural gas liquids from other oil-sands producers'
off-gas. The proposed pipeline project is expected to cost $283
million USD, using cash previously received from Canadian and other
international projects. Construction on the 261-mile pipeline is
expected to begin in 2010, with an anticipated in-service date of
April 2012. The pipeline will have an initial capacity of 43,000
barrels per day of off-gas liquids, with the future capability to
transport up to 125,000 barrels per day by installing additional
pump stations. In support of the new pipeline, Suncor is dedicating
approximately 106 million cubic feet per day of off-gas (which
equals about 15,000 barrels per day of production) with the
potential for additional volumes for processing at the Williams
Fort McMurray and Redwater facilities through 2032. "This new
pipeline fits perfectly with Williams' midstream strategy of
providing reliable, large-scale infrastructure in growing basins
and positions us extremely well for future business from other
producers in the area," said Alan Armstrong, president of Williams'
midstream business. "In addition, the pipeline will support the
future removal of ethane from the oil-sands off-gas, which will
further decrease greenhouse gas and sulfur dioxide emissions and
provides a critical feedstock for Alberta chemical companies."
Companies in the Fort McMurray area that upgrade bitumen from the
oil-sands to synthetic crude currently produce off-gas containing
approximately 90,000 barrels per day of natural gas liquids and
olefins from oil-sands production. Most of these liquids are now
burned as fuel, with higher associated greenhouse gas and sulfur
dioxide emissions than would result from burning an equivalent
amount of natural gas. With the expected addition of off-gas
processing facilities similar to Williams', more of these liquids
will be recovered and made available for transportation on the
proposed pipeline. Based on announced upgrader expansion projects
in the Fort McMurray area, these potential off-gas liquid volumes
are expected to increase to 175,000 barrels per day within 10
years. The pipeline project requires approval from the Energy
Resources Conservation Board and other Canadian regulatory
agencies. In addition, Williams will continue to conduct on going
public consultation with area communities and other stakeholders.
As the only processor of oil-sands off-gas, Williams is extracting
higher-value products from oil-sands-produced off-gas while
reducing greenhouse gas and sulfur dioxide emissions. About
Williams (NYSE:WMB) Williams, through its subsidiaries, finds,
produces, gathers, processes and transports natural gas. Williams'
operations are concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky
Mountains, Gulf Coast, and Eastern Seaboard. More information is
available at http://www.williams.com. Go to
http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=630&to=ea&s=0 to join our
e-mail list. Contact: Jeff Pounds Williams (media relations) (918)
573-3332 Richard George Williams (investor relations) (918)
573-3679 Portions of this document may constitute "forward-looking
statements" as defined by federal law. Although the company
believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions,
there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially
different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the "safe
harbor" protections provided under the Private Securities Reform
Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to
material changes in performance is contained in the company's
annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
DATASOURCE: Williams CONTACT: Media, Jeff Pounds, +1-918-573-3332,
or Investors, Richard George, +1-918-573-3679, both of Williams Web
Site: http://www.williams.com/
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