New natural gas pipeline capacity expands access to export and Northeast markets

In the EIA's recently updated Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Tracker, they estimate over 4 Bft³d of new natural gas pipeline capacity entered service in the third quarter of 2021, primarily supplying Gulf Coast and Northeast demand markets.  

In the Gulf Coast, three projects either entered service in the third quarter or were partially completed, totaling 3.6 Bft³d of additional pipeline capacity. These projects connect U.S. natural gas production to growing U.S. export markets. They include:  

• The Whistler pipeline, completed on July 1, 2021. The new 2 Bft³d pipeline, constructed by NextEra, connects Permian Basin production at the Waha Hub in West Texas to the Agua Dulce Hub in Southeast Texas. The Agua Dulce Hub serves as the supply point for several pipelines that cross the border to supply demand markets in Mexico. 
• The Acadiana Expansion Project, partly completed as of August 6, 2021. This 894 MMft³d expansion on the Kinder Morgan Louisiana intrastate pipeline increases takeaway capacity out of the Haynesville Basin, connecting it to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. The project is expected to be completed in early 2022. 
• The Cameron Extension Project, partly completed as of August 12, 2021. This 750 MMft³d expansion on the Texas Eastern Transmission (TETCO) interstate pipeline delivers feedgas to the Calcasieu Pass LNG terminal, which is currently preparing to start commissioning activities. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year. 

Several other projects have also entered service, increasing supplies to constrained demand markets in the Northeast. In New England, two projects will improve the region’s access to winter supplies of natural gas by over 100 MMft³d: 

• The 261 Upgrade Projects completed its second and final phase, entering service on October 6, 2021. With the new, upgraded compressor at Station 261, an estimated 20 MMft³d of additional natural gas supply can be delivered by the Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) into New England. 
• Portland Natural Gas Transmission System’s (PNGTS) Westbrook Xpress Project, Phases 2 and 3, entered service on October 21, 2021, increasing natural gas pipeline import capacity from Canada at Pittsburg, New Hampshire, by 81 MMft³d. The new Westbrook compressor station in Westbrook, Maine, will increase capacity on the co-operated Maritimes Northeast pipeline by 50 MMft³d. 

In addition, the Middlesex Expansion Project entered service in New Jersey on September 28, 2021. This 264 MMft³d TETCO expansion delivers natural gas—via interconnections with other interstate pipelines—to the 724 megawatt (MW) Woodbridge Energy Center combined-cycle power plant in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey. 

The pipeline project tracker update also includes the cancellation of the 1.3 Bft³d PennEast Pipeline, which was announced in late September. This $1.3 B project was designed to bring natural gas supplies from the Appalachia Basin into constrained demand markets in New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania. 

In total, the Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Tracker includes updates to 25 interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline projects, including announcements of new projects and estimated dates of completion. The EIA updates this resource quarterly; the next update is scheduled for late January 2022. 

Principal contributor: Katie Dyl 

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