FERC Approves Atlantic Sunrise Startup

Williams announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the company’s request to place its Atlantic Sunrise pipeline into full service and the project will commence operation on Oct. 6.

Backed by long-term shipper commitments, the project increases the design capacity of the Transco pipeline, the largest-volume natural gas pipeline system in the United States, by 1.7 bcfd (approximately 12%) to 15.8 bcfd. In the process, Williams said the project further strengthens and extends the bi-directional flow of the Transco system, directly connecting Marcellus gas supplies with markets as far south as Alabama.

“This project makes the largest-volume pipeline system in the country even larger, further executing on our strategy to connect premier natural gas supply areas with the best markets in the country,” said Alan Armstrong, Williams president and chief executive officer. “The project is significant for Pennsylvania and natural gas-consuming markets all along the East Coast, alleviating infrastructure bottlenecks and providing millions of consumers direct access to one of the most abundant, cost-effective natural gas supply sources in the country.”

Greenfield construction on the Pennsylvania portion of the project began in September 2017. The project saw the installation of 186 miles of greenfield pipe, 12 miles of pipe looping, 2.5 miles of pipe replacement, two new compressor stations and compressor station modifications in five states.

The Atlantic Sunrise Project is designed to supply enough natural gas to meet the daily needs of more than 7 million American homes by connecting producing regions in northeastern Pennsylvania to markets in the Mid-Atlantic and southeastern states.