Kinder Morgan launches operation of $500m Utopia pipeline in US

North America-based energy infrastructure company Kinder Morgan has put the $500m, 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) Utopia pipeline into service in Ohio, US.

With the start of operations, the company has commenced delivery of ethane from Harrison County in Ohio, to Windsor in Ontario, Canada.

Spanning a length of around 270m, the pipeline system can be expanded to more than 75,000bpd with the construction of additional pump stations.

Kinder Morgan Natural Gas Liquids and Products Pipelines president Don Lindley said: “The project team, in coordination with local, state and federal agencies, has done a tremendous job developing a project that provides ethane takeaway capacity from the Utica shale to the growing petrochemical industry while also maintaining an open dialogue with the local communities to support their needs and consider alternatives.”

Through the Utopia pipeline project, the company aims to meet the increasing demand for Ohio’s Utica Shale energy by delivering refined or fractionated products to its customers.

The project includes a 12in-diameter pipeline constructed from Harrison County to Fulton County of Ohio.

Using Kinder Morgan’s existing pipeline and facilities, the pipeline system has been designed to deliver ethane and ethane-propane mixtures to Windsor, Ontario.

The company has a portfolio of around 85,000 miles of pipelines and 152 terminals.