Eastern Shore initiates regulatory process for 2017 expansion project in US

Eastern Shore Natural Gas, the natural gas transmission subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities, has submitted a request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the US for its proposed 2017 expansion project.

The submission was made to initiate the pre-filing procedures for the proposed project, which comprises about 33 miles of pipeline looping in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.

The project will also involve modernisation of existing metering facilities, as well as installation of an additional compressor unit with a 3,550 horsepower capacity at the existing Daleville compressor station in Chester County.

Other developments will include about 17 miles of new mainline extension and the addition of two pressure control stations in Sussex County.

The expansion project facilities are expected to provide additional natural gas transportation capacity of an aggregate of 86,437 dekatherms per day.

Upon receiving approval from FERC, the company proposes to file its certificate application for the 2017 expansion project in a bid to start the pre-filing review process.

The company hopes to file the application in November this year.

Eastern Shore plans to begin construction of the expansion project facilities in June next year, while they are planned to become operational in the fourth quarter of next year.

The company owns and operates a 442-mile interstate pipeline that transports natural gas from various points in Pennsylvania to customers in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania.