Williams Partners Seeks FERC Approval to Serve Growing Virginia, North Carolina Natural Gas Markets

Williams Partners Seeks FERC Approval to Serve Growing Virginia, North Carolina Natural Gas Markets

TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Williams Partners L.P. (NYS: WPZ) announced today that its Transco pipeline has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to provide 270,000 dekatherms per day of incremental, year-round firm natural gas transportation capacity to serve growing markets in Virginia and North Carolina.

The Virginia Southside Expansion is targeted to be placed into service by September 2015. It is designed to provide 20,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation capacity to Piedmont Natural Gas Company and 250,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation capacity to Dominion Virginia Power.

"Historically low natural gas prices and the public's desire for cleaner energy have fueled an increasing need for natural gas service," said Frank Ferazzi, vice president and general manager of Williams' Transco pipeline. "This project is a great opportunity for us to support these utilities in serving the growing electric power and gas distribution needs in this region. We look forward to working with the FERC and all stakeholders to provide essential natural gas supply access in a manner that is efficient and minimizes environmental impacts."

The project is designed to consist of approximately 100 miles of new 24-inch diameter pipeline extending from the Transco mainline in Pittsylvania County, Va., and into Halifax, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, and terminating in Brunswick County, Va. The pipe would be placed parallel to the existing Transco pipeline, alongside of the existing utility corridor. The proposal would also include a new compressor facility in Pittsylvania County, Va. The capital cost of the project is estimated to be $298 million.

The Transco pipeline is a 10,200-mile pipeline system which transports natural gas to markets throughout the northeastern and southeastern United States. The current system capacity is approximately 9.7 million dekatherms per day.

About Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE: WPZ)

Williams Partners L.P. is a leading diversified master limited partnership focused on natural gas transportation; gathering, treating, and processing; storage; natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionation; and oil transportation. The partnership owns interests in three major interstate natural gas pipelines that, combined, deliver 14 percent of the natural gas consumed in the United States. The partnership's gathering and processing assets include large-scale operations in the U.S. Rocky Mountains and both onshore and offshore along the Gulf of Mexico. Williams (NYS: WMB) owns approximately 70 percent of Williams Partners, including the general-partner interest. More information is available at www.williamslp.com, where the partnership routinely posts important information.

Portions of this document may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined by federal law. Although the partnership 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 partnership's annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Williams Partners L.P.
Media Contact:
Jeff Pounds, 918-573-3332
or
Investor Contacts:
John Porter, 918-573-0797
or
Sharna Reingold, 918-573-2078

KEYWORDS: United States North America North Carolina Oklahoma Virginia

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The article Williams Partners Seeks FERC Approval to Serve Growing Virginia, North Carolina Natural Gas Markets originally appeared on Fool.com.

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