Sep 2, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Williams Partners’ Transco Pipeline Seeks FERC Approval for Project to Serve Growing Demand for Natural Gas in Northeastern U.S.

Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE: WPZ) announced today that Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking authorization for its Rivervale South to Market project, which would create 190,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation capacity to northeastern markets in time for the 2019/2020 winter heating season.

Transco has executed precedent agreements with Direct Energy Business Marketing, LLC and UGI Energy Services, LLC for firm transportation service under the project. Once complete, the project will help meet the growing heating and power generation demand for northeastern consumers, primarily in New Jersey and New York.

Frank Ferazzi, senior vice president of Williams Partners’ Atlantic – Gulf operating area, said, “The demand for clean-burning, affordable natural gas continues to climb, particularly in markets like New Jersey and New York City. The Rivervale South to Market project is especially attractive because it leverages existing Transco pipeline infrastructure, helping meet our customers’ energy needs by upgrading existing facilities, resulting in a very limited project footprint.”

Steve Haugenes, vice president of Direct Energy Business’ Natural Gas Operations Group, said, “New York City and northern New Jersey continue to be important growing markets for our vibrant commercial, industrial and wholesale businesses. Firming up volumes that have been flowing on a secondary basis will enable us to better meet the reliability standards that our customers demand.”

J.P. Ghio, vice president of UGI Energy Services’ Supply and Customer Operations, added, “The Rivervale South to Market project is a natural fit for UGI Energy Services as we continue to grow in the mid-Atlantic by delivering clean, low-cost natural gas to our customers in New Jersey and New York.” Ghio added, “New York City has made tremendous strides in air quality due primarily to the conversion from fuel oil to natural gas, and 74 percent of homes in New Jersey rely on natural gas to heat their homes. The Rivervale South to Market project will serve to further those efforts.”

Subject to regulatory approval, the Rivervale South to Market project will consist of uprating 10.35 miles of existing Transco pipeline, adding a 0.61-mile pipeline loop, as well as upgrades and modifications to existing pipeline facilities, all in New Jersey.

The certificate application reflects an expected capital cost of $127 million and a target in-service date of Nov. 1, 2019.

The Rivervale South to Market project adds to the list of more than $5 billion in Transco expansion projects placed in service in 2017 or currently in execution.

Transco delivers natural gas to customers through its 10,200-mile pipeline network whose mainline extends nearly 1,800 miles between South Texas and New York City. The system is a major provider of cost-effective natural gas services that reach U.S. markets in 12 Southeast and Atlantic Seaboard states, including major metropolitan areas in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

About Williams Partners

Williams Partners is an industry-leading, large-cap natural gas infrastructure master limited partnership with a strong growth outlook and major positions in key U.S. supply basins. Williams Partners has operations across the natural gas value chain including gathering, processing and interstate transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids. Williams Partners owns and operates more than 33,000 miles of pipelines system wide – including the nation’s largest volume and fastest growing pipeline – providing natural gas for clean-power generation, heating and industrial use. Williams Partners’ operations touch approximately 30 percent of U.S. natural gas. Tulsa, Okla.-based Williams (NYSE: WMB), a premier provider of large-scale U.S. natural gas infrastructure, owns approximately 74 percent of Williams Partners. www.williams.com

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with nearly five million residential and commercial customers. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada.

About UGI Energy Services LLC

UGI Energy Services LLC (UGIES), a subsidiary of UGI Corporation, markets natural gas, electricity and liquid fuels to commercial, institutional and industrial customers serving approximately 43,000 locations in ten eastern states and Washington, D.C. UGIES owns and operates natural gas underground storage fields, LNG storage, propane terminals and peaking plants, gathering systems, compressor stations, and electric generation assets. In addition, UGIES Midstream supports the storage, transportation and delivery of locally produced natural gas in the Mid-Atlantic region.

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. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the partnership’s annual and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.