Applications are being turned in and a June date has been set to order pipe for the Kenai-Kachemak Pipeline, with the schedule geared to meet a Jan. 1, 2004, date for Unocal to begin delivering natural gas to Enstar. 

Kenai Kachemak Pipeline LLC, which will build the Kenai to Anchor Point line, is owned by subsidiaries of Union Oil Company of California and Marathon Oil Co. 

Kenai-Kachemak started its open season late last year and non-binding preliminary expressions of interest in shipping natural gas on the pipeline are due Jan. 25 , the company told the Regulatory Commission of Alaska Jan. 16. The company said it expects to file applications with the RCA the week of Feb. 4. 

Applications have already been filed with the State Pipeline Coordinator for rights of way and with the Division of Governmental Coordination because the project is in the coastal zone. 

Firm commitments from shippers are due June 3, at which point pipe will be ordered. 

The company wants to have its permits in place by Jan. 1, 2003, and to start construction Feb. 1, 2003, with a heavy winter 2003 construction season. The pipeline would be finished up in the fall. Nov. 1, 2003, is the target date for project completion.