The pipeline is initially planned as a 10-in diameter system, and will connect Alliance’s North Fork lease to the Kenai Kachemak pipeline system’s Happy Valley extension.
Alliance’s drilling success and the recent approval by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska of the Enstar Gas Co/Alliance agreement to provide natural gas to the borough of Homer, Alaska, along with the recently constructed Kenai Kachemak pipeline system has fostered a need for additional pipeline capacity on the southern Kenai Peninsula. Alliance’s initial offset to the discovery well in the North Fork field is planned to be drilled as early as January, 2005, and the new pipeline will transport new increments of natural gas to complement Alliance’s developmental drilling plans on the peninsula.
Willbros is proceeding with route selection, permitting, and design of the proposed pipeline. The in-service date for the pipeline system has not been established but is planned as soon as the permitting process and construction windows will allow.
The company has also been awarded a looping project for a natural gas pipeline in Iowa by Kinder Morgan. The project scope includes new 30-in, 20-in, and 12-in diameter pipelines, provisions for a future compressor station hook-up, and 30-in launchers and receivers.