Williams, a leading provider of safe natural gas infrastructure for the clean energy industry, announced last week that it has achieved early in-service capacity for three critical energy infrastructure expansions in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic Region.
Due to the early in-service capacity reached, Williams also reported earlier-than-expected cash flow in the fourth quarter.
“Now more than ever, the essential natural gas infrastructure projects Williams delivers are critical to the United States’ clean energy future, and we take pride in living up to our long-rooted reputation of doing a good job on time,” Williams President and CEO Alan Armstrong said.
The first project to attain early in-service capacity was Transco’s Leidy South, an expansion of Williams’ existing Pennsylvania energy infrastructure. It brought 125 MMcf/d of capacity online in November with the remaining 457 MMcf/d expected to be completed in 2021.
The Leidy South expansion, in particular, connects Appalachia natural gas supplies with growing demand centers along the Atlantic Seaboard and has received key state and federal permits, including a partial Notice to Proceed from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The second project to achieve early in-service capacity was Transco’s Southeastern Trail, an expansion project that serves the growing demand in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. It commenced partial service of 150 MMcf/d in November and an additional 80 MMcf/d in December. The remaining 296 MMcf/d is expected to come online in the first quarter of 2021.
The last project announced was the Bluestem Pipeline, a 189-milk, 16-inch natural gas liquids transportation pipeline that originates out of Conway, Kan. The project, which provides improves market access and liquidity for mixed NGLs, was completed under budget and began its 120 Mbbls/d service in December, two months ahead of schedule.
Williams’ operations are heavily rooted in accommodating the growing urgency to transition to a low-carbon fuel future. The company’s natural gas-focused strategy provides a practical and immediate path to reduce industry emissions, support the viability of renewables, and grow a clean energy economy, Williams stated in a company release.
“Thanks to the collaborative efforts our team is taking with landowners, environmental groups, the regulatory community and other stakeholders, we are completing the projects that fuel our daily lives in a timely, safe, cost-conscious and environmentally responsible manner,” Armstrong added. “On top of it all this year, our employees followed strict health safety protocols and adhered to local guidance and mandates in order to complete these critical projects amid the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic.”