Gas pipelines to expand

Natural gas pipeline development and expansions are headed for two years of rapid growth, the U.S. Department of Energy’s information administration said in an analysis released in December.

The work could add as much as 16 billion cubic feet per day of capacity to the national transmission network, at an estimated cost of about $9.5 billion. The analysis said not all projects are likely to proceed, but it was optimistic final spending would exceed the $5.1 billion invested during the last major period of new pipeline development in 1992-1993.

A major portion of the investment represents new pipeline capacity to carry supplies of Canadian natural gas to various U.S. markets.

The analysis said environmental concerns have seen the consumption of gas to generate electricity grow at an annual rate of 17 percent in the Midwest and 9 percent in the Southeast.

The analysis is contained in the first released portion of an upcoming report, “Natural Gas 1998: Issues and Trends,” expected to be published in February. It may be accessed electronically from EIA’s world wide web site at http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/natural_gas/analysis_publications/natural_gas_1998_issues_trends/it98.html Printed copies of the full report will be available from the U.S. Government Printing Office 202 512-1800 or through EIA’s National Energy Information Center 202 586-8800. The figure referenced above may be viewed on EIA’s web site.