Another example of our government's wisdom...?

Interior warns Tiger Pipeline may contribute to 'intense' shale development

June 29, 2009 5:15 PM ET
By Robert Walton
Options Toolbox
3/30/2009 ETP begins prefiling for Tiger Pipeline, aims for FERC approval by July 2010

The U.S. Department of the Interior has asked FERC to closely scrutinize the potential cumulative impacts of Energy Transfer Partners LP's proposed Tiger Pipeline, citing the "intense development" in the Haynesville Shale.
ETP in March began the prefiling process for a proposed 180-mile system that would connect the Carthage Hub in Panola County, Texas, with the Perryville Hub in Richland Parish, La. The 42-inch-diameter pipeline would have a capacity ranging from 1 Bcf/d to 2 Bcf/d.
In comments filed June 26, DOI's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it "is aware that the Haynesville Shale Oil and Gas Field area is currently undergoing intense development and producing large quantities of natural gas that in turn requires take-away capacity in the form of natural gas pipelines."
With some pipelines already serving the play, "continued intense development of natural gas pipelines in the same general area may incrementally increase cumulative impacts," FWS said. "The effects of a single pipeline may not be adverse, but the effects of several pipelines developed in a 'piece-meal' fashion could lead to adverse cumulative effects."
FWS said it "strongly recommends that the FERC develop a robust cumulative effects analysis."
According to ETP, the Tiger Pipeline would move gas from the Haynesville Shale production area to Midwest and Northeast markets through seven interconnections with other major interstate natural gas pipelines and one bi-directional interconnection with an existing intrastate pipeline at the Carthage Hub. About 98% of the proposed route for the pipeline would be co-located along the routes of CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission Co.'s Carthage-to-Perryville project and Gulf South Pipeline Co. LP's East Texas-to-Mississippi expansion project.
ETP said it expects to file a formal application in September and is requesting that FERC approve the project by July 2010 to allow an in-service date in early 2011. (PF09-9)