LIVONIA, Mich., May 1, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Vector Pipeline L.P. today announced that it plans to hold a binding Open Season in June 2007 to secure shipper interest in expanding the capacity of the Vector Pipeline for up to an additional 230 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d).
Currently, Vector Pipeline is being expanded (Phase I) from its nominal capacity of 1 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) to approximately 1.2 Bcf/d through the addition of two new compression stations, which now are under construction and projected to be in service Nov. 1, 2007. The proposed Phase II expansion of 100 to 230 MMcf/d would require, at a minimum, the construction of another compression station along the existing pipeline.
"We are planning this binding Open Season because we continue to see strong shipper support for the current expansion and new market opportunities -- including downstream expansions on connecting pipeline systems, increasing demand from Millennium Pipeline shippers at Dawn, storage expansions in southeastern Michigan and southwestern Ontario, as well as additional Midwest supply access from the recently approved Rockies Express Pipeline. This all suggests a need for this additional capacity sooner rather than later," said Craig R. Fishbeck, Vector Pipeline president. "If justified by shipper support, we will be able to add this new capacity through cost-effective compression, which should enable us to complete the expansion by November 2009."
Binding bids for firm capacity will be accepted from Friday, June 1, 2007, until 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday, June 28, 2007. Vector will make a final determination of incremental capacity following the conclusion of the binding Open Season. Open Season materials will be available on the Vector website (www.vector-pipeline.com) in late May 2007. Additional information about this proposed expansion is available by contacting John Donaldson at (734) 462-0238 or Matt Malinowski at (734) 462-0236.
The Vector Pipeline System -- constructed in 2000 -- consists of 349 miles of mainline natural gas transmission pipeline between the Chicago Hub and the storage complex at Dawn, Ontario. Vector Pipeline L.P.'s system begins in Joliet, Ill., and terminates at the international border at St. Clair, Mich., where it interconnects with the Vector Pipeline Limited Partnership system, which provides service to the Dawn storage facilities. The System has multiple interconnections, which include Alliance, Northern Border, Guardian, ANR, NIPSCO, Crossroads, Consumers Energy, MichCon, DTE Washington 10 Storage, Bluewater Gas Storage and Union Gas. Three power plants also are tied into the Vector system: Crete Energy Ventures, Kinder Morgan-Jackson and Greenfield Energy Centre in Ontario.
Vector Pipeline L.P. is a joint venture between Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) (TSX:ENB), with a 60 percent interest, and Detroit-based DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE), with a 40 percent interest. Information about Vector is available at www.vector-pipeline.com. Information about Enbridge and DTE Energy is available at www.enbridge.com and www.dteenergy.com, respectively.