Williams Says Atlantic Sunrise Ready for Service
US-based energy infrastructure company Williams said September 19 its 1.7bn ft3/day Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project is mechanically complete and it has asked the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc) for permission to place it into service.
The US$3bn project, an expansion of Williams’ existing Transco system, will connect Marcellus shale gas to markets in the US southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, including Dominion Energy’s Cove Point LNG facility in Maryland.
Construction on Atlantic Sunrise began in September 2017, following Ferc’s February 2017 authorisation. The expansion consists of 200 miles (322 km) of large-diametre pipe, two new compressor stations and compressor station modifications in five states.
In its application to Ferc for authorisation to place the project in service, Williams said that only four tie-in locations remain to be back-filled. Heavy rains in the area – rainfall in the past month has been double normal levels – have hampered restoration work, but Williams said final clean-up is 60% complete and restoration is 57% complete.
“Transco hereby commits that it will use its best efforts and employ the necessary crews and personnel to complete the clean-up and restoration work as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than October 31, 2018,” the company said.